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| 8990194796 | Language | Set of sounds and symbols that is used for communication. Significance: -Helps cement cultural identity. -Reveals much about the way people and cultures view reality. Ex. Some Southeast Asian languages have no tenses, reflecting a less sharp cultural distinction between then and now. -The stronger the language, the stronger the communication stream is and the more easily information can be transformed and applied. A strong language=more infrastructure | 0 | |
| 8990194797 | Mutual intelligibility | The ability of two people to understand each other when speaking. Conservative Criteria: -The rule of thumb is that if two people are speaking two different languages then they will not be able to understand each other, but if two people are speaking two different dialects of one language, then they will achieve mutual understanding. -This criterion of mutual intelligibility has been rejected by most geographers because in some cases, two people speaking two different language have achieved mutual understanding, and two people speaking two different dialects of one language (like in the instance of Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese) are not mutually intelligible at the least. | 1 | |
| 8990194798 | Standard Language | A language that a countries political and intellectual elites seek to promote as a norm for the use in schools, gov., media, and other aspects of public life. A language that is published, widely distributed, and purposely taught. -In some countries, the gov. Sustains and promotes the standard language through language examinations for teachers and civil servant before they can be hired. | 2 | |
| 8990194799 | Dialects | Varying characteristics of a standard or official language that cross ethnic and regional lines Differences in the 5 categories below create variation (dialects) within one language across space. -Vocabulary -Syntax -Pronunciation -Cadence (rhythm of speech) -Pace of speech 2nd Def. Variations of languages across space that follow the above criteria | 3 | |
| 8990194800 | Syntax | The way words are put together to form phrases. | 4 | |
| 8990194801 | Dialect Chain | A set of contiguous dialects in which the dialects nearest to each other at any place in the chain are most closely related. | 5 | |
| 8990194802 | Isogloss | Geographic boundary within which a particular linguistic feature occurs or more simplistically defined as a boundary between two different language feature. -These boundaries are usually fuzzy because dialects and linguistic features are constantly contracting or expanding on the amount of space they consume. -Ex. Boundary between two places where the term commonly used for soft drink varies. | 6 | |
| 8990194803 | Language Families | Group of languages with a shared but distant origin (proto-language) -Languages are classified into language families only at the global scale. -EX. Indo-European | 7 | |
| 8993267256 | Language Subfamilies | Division within a language family where the commonalities are more distinct and the origin is more recent. -The spatial extent of subfamilies is smaller than language families. | 8 | |
| 8993267258 | Sound Shifts | Slight change in words | 9 | |
| 8993267259 | Proto-Indo-European | Hypothesis proposing an existence of a primitive Indo-European language that was the hearth for all languages in the Indo-European language family. -Hearth of ancient Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit languages. | 10 | |
| 9005882769 | Backwards Reconstruction | Tracking sound shifts and hardening of consonants back in time towards the original language. -Purpose: Reconstruct elements of a prior language. Ex. German: /Vater/ Dutch: /Vader/. English: /Father/ Example Explained: The closer to the hearth, the harder the consonant is. German is closer to the hearth of the Indo- European family, and therefore the consonants of many words are harder than Dutch and English. | 11 | |
| 9011222825 | Extinct Languages | Language without any native speakers. -Languages become extinct when all descendants perish or when descendants choose to use another language. | 12 | |
| 9011292674 | Deep Reconstruction | Technique of using the vocabulary of an extinct language to recreate the language that came before the extinct language. | 13 | |
| 9011382726 | Nostratic Language | Ancient ancestor of Proto-Indo-European. | 14 | |
| 9011382727 | Language Divergence | A process that occurs when spatial interaction among speakers of a singular language breaks down and the language diverges first into two different dialects and then into discrete tongues. -Ex. The process of language divergence has happened between Spanish and Portuguese. Significance: Shows how languages evolve | 15 | |
| 9012447233 | Language Convergence | The collapsing of two languages into one. -This is due to consistent spatial interaction of personal people with different languages. Significance: Shows how languages evolve | 16 | |
| 9012447234 | Conquest Theory | Theory that proposes that proto-Indo-European languages diffused westward on horseback. -The language diffused hierarchically and overpowered early inhabitants by conquering and centralizing power dynamics. | 17 | |
| 9012620557 | Dispersal Theory | Indo-European Languages were first carried eastward into southwest Asia then around the Caspian Sea and across the Russian-Ukraine plains into the Balkans. | 18 | |
| 9012671679 | Romance Languages | Examples -French -Spanish -Italian -Romanian -Portuguese Languages that lie in the area that were once controlled by the Roman Empire. Overtime, Languages mixed with Latin (which was the main tongue of the Roman Empire) and thus new languages were born. -All the new languages have Latin connection but are not always mutually understandable. | 19 | |
| 9012849093 | Germanic Languages | Examples -English -German -Danish -Norwegian -Swedish Reflect the expansion of people out of Northern Europe to the west and south. | 20 | |
| 9012849094 | Slavic Languages | Examples -Russian -Polish -Czech -Slovak -Ukrainian -Slovenian -Serb-Croatian -Bulgarian Developed as Slavic people migrated from a base in present day Ukraine close to 2000 years ago. | 21 | |
| 9012862016 | Lingua Franca "Frankish Language" | Today, Lingua Franca refers to a "common language," a language used among speakers of different languages for the purpose of trade and commerce. Ex. English | 22 | |
| 9013342965 | Pidgin Language | When part of two or more languages are combined in a simplified structure and vocabulary. Significance: Important unifying force in a linguistically divided world. | 23 | |
| 9013342966 | Creole Language | A pidgin language that has developed a more complex structure and vocabulary and has become the native language of a group of people. Ex. Spanglish Significance: Important unifying force in a linguistically divided world. | 24 | |
| 9013342967 | Monolingual State | Countries where almost everyone speaks the same language. Ex. -Japan -Uruguay -Iceland -Denmark -Portugal -Poland -Lesotho No country is truly monolingual in a globalized world. | 25 | |
| 9013342968 | Multilingual State | Countries in which more than one language is in use. -Linguistic fragmentation often reflects colonialism where colonizers threw people together who spoke different languages. | 26 | |
| 9013342969 | Official Language | Language selected and adopted by educated and politically powerfully elite to promote internal cohesion. -Usually the language of courts and governments. | 27 | |
| 9013393877 | Global Language | The language used most commonly around the world; defined on the basis of either the number of speakers of the language, or the prevalence of use in commerce and trade. Global Language: Chinese | 28 | |
| 9013393878 | Toponym | Place name | 29 | |
| 9014290210 | Religion | Text book definition: "A system of beliefs and practices that attempt to order life in terms of culturally perceived ultimate priorities." (2004) 2nd Definition: Religion is the value system that people place on themselves and others based on a spiritual or divine aspect of the world. Significance -Religious architecture impacts the worlds landscape. -Often determines behavior constraints in a society. -The unwillingness that comes with religion creates conflict. -Enormous cultural aspect. Ex.Hinduism (oldest standing) Islam (fastest growing) Christianity(largest) | 30 | |
| 9015220091 | Secularism | Indifference to or rejection of formal religion. -Becoming more and more dominant. | 31 | |
| 9015220092 | Monotheistic Religion | Worship one God Ex. Christianity (although debatable) | 32 | |
| 9015220093 | Polytheistic religion | Worship many Gods. Ex. Hinduism | 33 | |
| 9015220096 | Animistic Religion | "Belief that inanimate objects, such as hills, trees, rocks, rivers, and other elements of the natural landscape, possess spirits and can help or hinder efforts on Earth." Animism: Belief in supernatural powers that organize and animate the material; interact with humans and non-human worlds. Ex. Shintoism | 34 | |
| 9017977589 | Universalizing Religion | Definition 1: belief system that espouses the idea that there is one true religion that is universal in scope. -Adherents often believe that their religion represents universal truth, and in some cases great effort is undertaken in evangelism and missionary work. Definition 2: -A religion that ACTIVELY SEEKS CONVERTS because they view themselves as offering believe systems of universal appropriateness and appeal Ex. Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism | 35 | |
| 9018017800 | Hinduism | -Polytheistic (Although you could argue its monotheistic) •One true god (Atman Brahman) has thousands of incarnations. •3 main Gods that envelop power of Brahman *Vishnu the preserver *Shiva the destroyer *Brahma the creator Main Belief: 1. Hinduism deals within a persons spiritual placement in life as well as previous lives. The good deeds one does in this life count toward higher standing in a future life. 2. Life is cyclical; one life leads to a new life. Key Terms: -Karma-The sun of a persons actions in this and previous states of existence; viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. -Dharma- -Mocksha-Refers to various forms of emancipation, liberation, and release. -Oldest Standing Religion -Hearth: Pakistan (no more connection to the hearth) -Ethnic Religion -Main location: India -Diffused: contagiously and then hierarchically. | 36 | |
| 9022636125 | Caste System | The strict social segregation of people-specifically in India's Hindu society-on the basis of ancestors and occupation. If one sticks to their dharma, follows Hindu values, and have good karma, than they will be able to move up the social latter in future lives. | 37 | |
| 9023366216 | Buddhism | Main Beliefs 1. Adherents strive to reject Worldly desires. 2. Life is cyclical; life is suffering. Life is unified by desire and thus suffering. We must liberate ourselves from both. 3. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path (the path to Nirvana.). Following the Noble Eightfold Path leads to a life of moderation (living in the middle way,) which liberates one from desire, end suffering and entitles one to a state of Nirvana. 4. Salvation can be attained by anyone. -Pantheistic/Spiritual -Hearth: Nepal -Prince Siddhartha later known as Buddha founded the religion. -The religion splintered from Hinduism. -Three major forms: Theravada, Vajrayana, and Myanmar. | 38 | |
| 9023474651 | Shintoism | -The indigenous animistic religion of Japan that focuses on the belief in Kami (spiritual powers found in natural), in Which move between the visible and invisible world and have a great influence on Japanese life. | 39 | |
| 9024230124 | Taoism | Main Beliefs: 1. The "Tao" means The Way. The Tao is the ultimate creative principal of the universe. 2. "The way of the universe is way too complex for humans to understand." ••Appreciate the universe, do not ponder it. -Founder: Lao-Tsu -Hearth: Chinese Yangtze and Huang He River. -Diffusion: Contagiously across China | 40 | |
| 9024525138 | Feng Shui | Means "Wind-Water" The Chinese art of and science of placement and orientation of tombs, dwellings, buildings, and cities. Structures and objects are offered to channel flow of sheng-chi in favorable ways. | 41 | |
| 9024525139 | Confucianism | Main Beliefs: 1 Treat others the way you want to be treated. "The Golden Rule." 2 Respect elders Founder: Confucius | 42 | |
| 9026784453 | Indigenous Religions | Belief systems and philosophies practiced and traditionally passed from generation to generation among peoples within an indigenous tribe or group. -Local in scope. -Usually have reverence for nature. -All indigenous religions share the same pressures from the diffusion of global religions-and they have survived. | 43 | |
| 9026868204 | Shamanism | Community faith in traditional societies in which the people follow their shaman-a religious leader, teacher, healer, or visionary. -At times, an especially strong shaman might attract a regional following. Mostly, shamans remain local figures. -Shamanism is a indigenous religion. | 44 | |
| 9027053409 | Pilgrimage | Volentary travel by an adherent to a sacred site to pay respects or participate in a ritual at the site. -Ex. Hajj | 45 | |
| 9044774860 | Sacred Site | Place of space people infuse with religious meaning. -Ex. The Kaaba and Grand Mosque -Western Wailing Wall -Church of the Holy Sepulcher -Torii Gates -Himilayan Mountains -Ganges River -Lumbini -South Cliff Palace | 46 | |
| 9044847687 | Minaret | Tower attached to Muslim mosque, having one or more projecting balcony from which a crier calls muslim prayer. | 47 | |
| 9044858954 | Interfaith Boundaries and Intrafaith Boundaries | Interfaith Boundaries: -Boundaries between the worlds major faiths. Hint: Think of interactive with the entire world. Ex. Divisions between Palestine (Muslim majority) and Israel. (The situation in Israel and palestine don't reflect a simple interfaith boundary between religions but a multitude of interfaith boundaries, especially within the West Bank.) Intrafaith Bounderies: -Boundaries within a single major faith. Hint: Think of Introvert Ex. Divisions between Sunni and Shi'ite. | 48 | |
| 9044947288 | Interface Areas | Places where neighborhoods associate with different religious meets. | 49 | |
| 9045020586 | Religious Fundamentalism | Religious movement whose objectives are to return to the foundations of the faith and to influence state policy. -Often born out of lack of religious authority or sense of violation of a religions core territory. | 50 | |
| 9045057885 | (Side Note) | (Most Information on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is found on a seperate document.) | 51 | |
| 9045067847 | Relgious Extremism | Fundamentalism carried to a point of violence. | 52 | |
| 9045073215 | Ethnic Cleansing | Process in which more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes a less powerful one in order to create an ethnically homogeneous region. | 53 | |
| 9045098354 | Jainism | a nontheistic religion founded in India in the 6th century BC | 54 | |
| 9045198101 | Atheist | A person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. | 55 | |
| 9045204065 | Denominations | A division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body. | 56 | |
| 9045230186 | Theocracy | A state whose government is under the control of a ruler who is deemed to be divinely guided, or of a group of religious leaders. -Opposit of a theocracy is a secular state. -Ex. Vatican City | 57 | |
| 9045252582 | Syncretic Religion | A blend of relgious beliefs and traditions, often forming a new religion. -Compromise religion | 58 | |
| 9045263052 | Sikhism | a monotheistic religion founded in Punjab in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. | 59 | |
| 9045277704 | Mormonism | Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity. | 60 | |
| 9047926845 | Main Study Topics | 1. Importance and Role of Language as an element of Culture. "Language is not just as a tool for the exchange of information, but as a symbolic system with the power to create and shape symbolic realities, such as values, perceptions, through discourse." We can use vast vocabularies to describe new experiences, ideas, and feelings, or we can create new words to represent these things. Language reflects where a culture has been, what a culture values, even how people in a culture think, describe and experience events. Language helps cement cultural identity. Our thoughts, expressions, and dreams (everything that defines us) are articulated in our language; to lose that ability is to lose a lot. Shared languages make people in a culture visible to each other and the rest of the world. Language can reveal much about the way people and cultures view reality. Ex. Some Southeast Asian languages have no tenses, reflecting a less sharp cultural distinction between then and now. Globalization of culture leads to assimilation and a hard obstacle when trying to preserve local or national languages. French gov. has worked diligently to protect the French language dating back to the creation of the Academie Francaise in 1635. Colonialism has led to loss of culture and thus language. 2. Religious regions of the U.S. -Bible Belt | 61 |
