The Geography of Languages and Religions

1. Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4eEdward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick Chapter 7: The Geography of Languages and Religions Victoria Alapo, Instructor Geog 1010

2. 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

3. 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 – differenttypes of the same language. • Official Language • One in which official records are kept & govt. business is done. Includes formal education and signage.

4. 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 justone country, e.g. Icelandic, Japanese; & Nepali

5. 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?

6. 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

9. 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

11. “Geography” in many languages, pg 268

12. 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

16. World’s Major Religions • Systems of beliefs guiding behavior • Fundamentalism – strictest adherence to beliefs. • Secularism – ignores/ excludes religious considerations.

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

19. 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

20. 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.

23. 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

25. 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)

26. Sikhism • Sikhism • Offshoot of Hinduism • Guru Nanak (founder), 1469-1539 • He tried to reconcile Hinduism & Islam, and opposed the caste system.

27. 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”.

28. 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.

29. 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)