Language and Religion

Classification of Languages

Language Families Related in their Prehistorical origin

50% of the world’s population speak Indo-European languages

Language Group Recent common origins and also share similar

grammar and vocabulary Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian and

Catalan are classified under the Romance branch as part of the Indo-European family.

Tree of Languages

How Does Language Spread?

Speakers move and carry their language, or…

Groups are dominated and adopt the new language

How Do Languages Change?

Can happen slowly within a language

New contacts with outside groups European contact with indigenous populations

New Technologies call for new words Computers, Cell Phones, etc. Webster’s Dictionary added 2,000 new words this past

year Ex. Ringtone, Spyware, Biodiesel, Gastric Bypass,

Unibrow

Standard and Variant Languages

Standard: The accepted form of the language (Syntax,

pronunciation, vocabulary) Ex. National News Broadcast, English Textbook

Standard and Variant Languages (Cont.)

Dialects Variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, rhythm or

speed of language (Often an indicator of class) Ex. New England, Jamaican, Southern

Standard and Variant Languages (Cont.)

Pidgin A simplified version of one language (used for

informal exchanges between cultures who do not know each other’s language)

Standard and Variant Languages (Cont.)

Creole If pidgin is used enough to become a primary

language, it is a Creole language Ex. Swahili in East Africa, Cajun

"The paint you want? The brands you trust. . . The place that you prefer!"

Standard and Variant Languages (Cont.)

Lingua Franca A third language adopted by people from different

groups when they cannot speak each other’s language In Europe, all students are required to learn English.

Therefore, when a Spaniard speaks to a Frenchman, they speak to each other in English – The lingua franca

Language and Conflict

Language and Conflict

French speakers in Quebec Many want to secede from Canada and create their

own country

“English Only” advocates in the U.S. Specifically California and Texas

with an influx of Mexicans

Language and Toponymy

Toponymy is the study of place names Can reveal much about the history of a region New York --- York, England St. Louis, Louisiana --- Names for French King Louis New Orleans --- Orleans, France Austin --- Stephen F. Austin, founding father of Texas Houston --- Sam Houston, President of Texas Islamabad --- Named for Islamic faith

Patterns of Religion

Religion and Culture Religion determines our view of the world and our

place in it

Religious Landscape Structures of worship (Temple, Church, Mosque) Cemeteries and other sacred spaces (Pilgrimages)

Classification of Religion

Monotheistic religions Worship ONE Deity

Polytheistic religions Worship MULTIPLE Deities

Universalizing religions Seek Converts (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism)

Ethnic religions Practiced by people within one cultural group. They

do not seek converts (Hinduism, Judaism, indigenous religions)

Diffusion of Religion

Conversion through missionizing Latin America’s conversion to Catholicism with the

Spanish conquest and missionariesConquestMigration

Voluntary – Immigration into United States, Search for better jobs or livelihoods

Forced – Slavery, Trail of Tears, Holocaust

Judaism

Judaism originated in the Middle East Diaspora (Being kicked out of Israel) took place in the

1st Century AD Return to Israel in the 20th Century Also in urban areas of Europe and the US

Christianity

Christianity grew out of Judaism Spread to Europe when adopted as official religion of

the Roman Empire Taken to European colonies during colonial rule Predominate religion of the Western Hemisphere

Islam

Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the early 600s AD Early spread by conquest Later spread through trade and seeking converts Predominate religion of Northern Africa and Middle

East

Hinduism

Hinduism is an ancient religion of South Asia Has not spread outside South Asia in great numbers,

but… British rule relocated many who took Hinduism with

them

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in South Asia (India) Today more widely practiced in East Asia Taken to East Asia along trade routes

Sikhism

Competes with the Islamic and Hindu religions in Asia

MonotheisticReligion is associated

with the Punjab region of India

Follows the teachings of Guru Nanak

"Realisation of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living"

East Asian Ethnic Religions

Confucianism Became official Chinese religion in 2nd Century BC

(Code of Behavior)Taoism

Lao Tse (6th Century BC) Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos, health and longevity

Shinto Japan (Animistic – Belief in spirits in nature)

Animism

a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment.

Most practitioners of animism are indigenous religious groups, like the Inuit