Chapter 7: The Geography of Languages and Religions

Victoria Alapo, Instructor

Geog 1010

Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4e

Edward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick

Language & Religion

The two most important forces that bond and define human cultures

Linguistic Geography –

The study of different dialects across space

Many Social Scientists believe that Language is the most important cultural index.

It structures an individual’s perception of world

Defining Language

Language is a major difference in pattern of communication e.g. English, Yoruba, French, etc.

Dialects Minor variations in pattern within a language. E.g.

Pidgin English, American English, British English – different types of the same language.

Official Language One in which official records are kept & govt. business

is done. Includes formal education and signage.

Language Regions

Lingua Franca Common language used in a country (especially in a country with

different native languages). This common language sometimes cuts across international borders; so it could also be a current language of international discourse.

E.g. Swahili, English, Arabic, Hausa, French, etc

Polyglot states Having multiple official languages e.g. India, Canada, Belgium,

S/Africa.

National Languages Tied to just one country, e.g. Icelandic, Japanese; & Nepali

American English: Should it be the Official Language?

U.S. Constitution did not specify language U.S. House and Senate disagree However, English has always been lingua

franca

Dedication to common language (patriotism) or resentment of changing immigration trends?

World’s Major Languages There are more than 3,000 distinct languages worldwide (and

1,000 of those are in Africa alone).

Mother tongues – your 1st or native language.

50% of the world population speaks one of 12 major languages listed on next slide. Mandarin Chinese has the largest number of speakers. Why?

English is the primary language of at least 350 million people and is the official language of about 50 countries

Postcolonial societies (see further slides) Imposed official languages by colonial ruler Not always spoken by all locals

Geography of Writing

Orthography System of writing

Sumerians (3000 B.C.), Egyptian (3000 B.C.), Chinese (1300 B.C.), Olmec People of Central America (650 B.C.)

Alphabets Roman Cyrillic – offshoot of Greek Arabic

Non-alphabetic Chinese, Japanese, Korean

“Geography” in many languages, pg 268

Toponymy

This is the study of place names -- see next 2 slides.

Consists of, or records these: Natural features Origins/values of inhabitants Belief structures, religions Current or past heroes

World’s Major Religions

Systems of beliefs guiding behavior

Fundamentalism – strictest adherence to beliefs.

Secularism – ignores/ excludes religious considerations.

Actually, parts of the map are not very correct if you go by Table 7-3, which is more factual.

Judaism

14 million adherents, including Black Jews in Ethiopia! (A reminder of both oral and written history!)

Monotheistic Pentateuch

First five books of the Old Testament Sects (know these)

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform Israel

Homeland for Jewish people Re-created 1948 Resulted in conflict between Israel and Palestine

Christianity

Emerged from Judaism Coptic Church

Founded in Alexandria in A.D. 41 Now found mainly in Egypt and Ethiopia (if curious, see

Acts chapter 8. The story about the Ethiopian Eunuch).

Official religion of Roman Empire Facilitated its geographical spread

Dark Ages – church was the focus of life. Time when Church & State were one and the same.

Protestant Reformation – Martin Luther. Significant growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Islam

Muhammad Allah Five Pillars of Islam

Belief in one God Five daily prayers Generous alms Fasting during Ramadan Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

Main Sects Sunni, Shiite Others – Wahhabi, Sufi, etc

Hinduism

Hinduism Most ancient religious tradition in Asia Vedas – Hindu sacred texts Belief in reincarnation Diet (cows/ beef not allowed) Castes (hierarchy)

Brahman, priestly Kshatriya, warrior Vaisya, tradesman and farmer Sudra, servant and laborer

The Untouchables /the Dalits (see video)

Sikhism

Sikhism Offshoot of Hinduism Guru Nanak (founder), 1469-1539 He tried to reconcile Hinduism & Islam,

and opposed the caste system.

Buddhism Diffused from India; created by Buddha (the

Enlightened One) Also believe in reincarnation (Buddha was originally

a Hindu). But he hated the Caste System.

Four Noble Truths of Buddhism Life involves suffering Cause of suffering is desire Elimination of desire ends suffering Right thinking and behavior eliminate desire

Nirvana – state of enlightenment – you stop coming back when you become “perfect”.

Other Religions Other Eastern Religions (read text for more info)

Confucianism Taoism Shinto

Animism and Shamanism (Traditional) Animism

Belief in ubiquity of spirits or spiritual forces – gods and goddesses.

Shamanism Shaman – Found in most parts of the world, e.g. in Siberia,

and some Native American groups. Also, in Korea, South America, Africa, etc. This is where a medium goes into trances and believes they are communicating with the spirit world.

Social & Political Impacts of Religion

Theocracy Church rules directly e.g. the Vatican; many Islamic States.

Gender roles Women’s rights – Christian vs. Islamic States

Diet Vegetarians (Buddhists), pork (Muslims, Jews), beef (Hindus), alcohol

(Muslims), etc

Ethics, morals, schools and institutions Burial practices; concepts about the world’s origin Relationship with nature (Exploitive approach – e.g. Capitalism; Adaptive

approach – e.g. Buddhism)