Chapter 5-6 Review

Language and Religion

Pages 144-160Introduction1. 7,299 languages in the world today2. Only 10 are spoken by at least 100 million people3. Language is the means through which cultural

values (religion, ethnicity) are spread4. Geographers look at similarities to understand

diffusion around the world5. Is ENGLISH the language of power?

Globalization?6. People are trying to preserve local diversity and

identity through language

English Speaking Countries

Origin of English1. Celts invaded by Anglos & Saxons who were German tribes. 2. Combined with Normans (French) and Vikings to produce

English.a. French was the official language for 300 years (1066-1362)

 Dialects1. Dialect – variation of a language, distinguished by

vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. 2. Geographers study dialect to show distinctive differences in

the environment in which groups live3. A language with many dialects, one may be the standard

language4. BRP=British Received Pronunciation—preferred dialect –

London, Oxford & Cambridge.

Key Issue 2: Why Is English Related to Other Languages?

Indo-European Branches1. Language family (trunk) is a collection of languages related through

ancestral language that existed before recorded history2. Language branch is within the family a collection of languages

related through common ancestral language3. Indo-European is divided into eight branches:

a. Indo-Iranian – South Asiab. Romance – southwestern Europe and Latin Americac. Germanic – northwestern Europe and North America (English)d. Balto-Slavic – Eastern Europe

4. Albanian, Armenian, Greek, and Celtic are used less often5. Language group is a collection of languages within a branch,

common origins, recent past

Diffusion

1. Language diffuses primarily through conquest and warfare

2. Native languages triumph due to farming over hunting

3. After generations of isolation, distinct languages emerge

Key Issue 3: Where Are Other Language Families Distributed?

Classification of Languages1. Indo-European Family such as English – spoken by 48%2. Sino-Tibetan Family such as Mandarin – 26%3. Afro-Asiatic such as Arabic – 6%4. Language families form the trunks of the trees

a. Branches are languages related through common ancestral languageb. Individual languages are the leaves

5. The larger the trunk and leaves, the more speakers there are6. Superfamilies are shown as the roots – existence speculative

Key Issue 4: Why Do People Preserve Local Languages?

Preserving Language Diversity1. Distribution of a language is a measure of the fate of an ethnic

group2. 516 languages nearly extinct

a. 46 in Africa, 170 in the Americas, 78 in Asia, 12 in Europe 210 in the Pacificb. 1500s Peru – 500 languages now only 92

3. Only 300 languages safe from extinction4. Hebrew disappears by 400 BC

a. 1948 – Hebrew becomes official language of the new Israelb. Used to unify the new countryc. Had to be revived with 4,000 new words

Global Dominance of English1. Lingua franca – language of international

communication2. Pidgin language – simplified lingua franca to

communicate with another language3. More than 90% of students in EU learn English4. 500 million people speak English as a second

language5. Most effective way to participate in global

economy is participate in global culture6. English is expansion diffusion – spreads in a

snowball effect

Introduction – Religion

1. Geographers watch how one religion diffuses across space and may conflict with others

2. Geographers also observe how religion derives from the environment and modify it

3. Spatial connections: place of origin, diffusion, process of diffusion, why more widespread

4. Universalizing Religion – attempt to be global, appeal to all people wherever they live

5. Ethnic Religion – appeals to one group living in one place – 24% of the population

Universalizing & Ethnic Religions

Ethnic Religions1. 860 million adherents of Hindu – world’s

third largest religion2. 97% clustered in one country, India – thus, an

ethnic religion3. Hindus believe it is up to the individual to

worship God4. Path varies – devotion, action, knowledge,

renunciation 5. You alone are responsible for your actions…

and consequences

Key Issue 2: Why Do Religions Have Different Distributions?

Origin of Christianity1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem between 8 BC and 4 BC2. He died on a cross about 30 AD in Jerusalem

A. Preached the coming of the Kingdom of God3. Christian Bible documented miracles/deeds performed by Jesus4. Resurrection provides hope for salvation5. Roman Catholics believe God conveys his belief through seven sacraments:

a. Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing the sick, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Eucharist

6. Eastern Orthodox accepted seven sacraments but rejected other doctrines added after 700 AD

7. Protestants split in 1500s when Martin Luther posted 95 theses a. Individuals have responsibility for salvation trough communicationwith Godb. Grace is achieved through faith rather than sacraments

Distribution of Christians

Diffusion of Christianity1. Christianity diffuses through relocation, expansion (snowballing),

hierarchical, and contagious2. Spreads from its hearth in Palestine with missionaries – relocation3. Would spread with contagious diffusion in the Roman Empire4. Dominance in Rome with hierarchical when emperor accepts it5. Expands to North and South America, Australia, New Zealand

Diffusion of Islam1. Muslims conquer Palestine, Persian Empire, and India and convert2. Later, Muslims capture North Africa and Western Europe3. Spreads to Indonesia because of Arab traders in 13th Century

Key Issue 3: Why Do Religions Organize Space in Distinctive Patterns?

Places of Worship1. Christian church more important than buildings in

other religions2. Usually the largest and tallest building placed in a

prominent location3. Muslim masques are places for community gathering4. Hindus – important religious functions are performed

in the home – temples are shrines5. Buddhist – pagodas contain relics of Buddha but not

for worship

Key Issue 4: Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise Among Religious Groups?

Religion vs. Government

1. North America and Western Europe believe economic development and religion are compatible

2. Less developed countries view it differently – Muslims, Hindus, etc.

Taliban 1. US backs their govt. in Afghanistan to prevent another Russian

invasion2. Taliban creates Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the

Prevention of Vicea. Men beaten for shaving their beardsb. Stoned for committing adulteryc. Homosexuals were buried alived. Prostitutes were hanged in front of audiencese. Thieves had their hands cut offf. Women had their fingers cut off for wearing nail polishg. Banned western activities like TV, music, even flying kites

Jews vs. Muslims1. British announces they’re leaving Palestine; UN sets up two

independent countriesa. One Jewish, one Muslim; Jerusalem would international open to all

2. 1948 – UK withdrawals, Jews declare all territory the state of Israela. Next day, neighboring Arab states invadeb. Old City Jerusalem becomes part of Jordan; new city belongs to Israel

3. 1967 Six-Day War – Israel gains West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai Pen., Jerusalema. Israel returns Sinai and Egyptian President assassinated for “recognizing” Israel

4. Fatah Party will recognize Israel if they return all land obtained in 19675. Hamas Party does not recognize Israel; will fight for ALL the land6. Jerusalem – as long as one religion controls city, there will not be peace