Unit 1

Knowing our Regional Neighbors

Lesson 2

MY JOURNEY
Congratulations! You have learned some essential facts and understanding of your home
planet. As what we have said in the first lesson, knowing your home planet is a requisite to loving it.
More than knowing the physical features of your home planet is also as important as knowing its
people who have been shaped by their environment .This branch of knowledge is what we call
Human geography, a subfield in Geography which provides a deeper understanding of how humans
have been influenced by their geography. One appreciates his environment more if one knows the
cultural elements that shaped his/her personality and how he sees the world through the lens of
his/her own language, ethnicity, religion and other aspects of human life such as economy and
government.

Why is it important to study the language of a particular place? How does language shape
the people’s culture? How does it contribute in knowing the place better? How does it provide a
peek into the cultural life of the people we hope to understand and study? In this lesson, you will be
learning the diversity of language around the world.

Race and ethnicity are not synonymous. Race is biological while ethnicity refers to one’s
cultural affiliation. Filipinos are Asian . We live in an Asian continent but to whom am I affiliated with
in matters related to my race? Does my ethnicity define my personality? Does ethnicity influence
that language I use? Does my being Negrense make me different from the Ilocanos? Does being
Catholic living outside Metro Manila make me different from other Filipinos? Does my religion make
me different from others though I live in the same place and location like them?

It is in this context that knowing human geography and its elements will provide you with the
context of understanding the cultural elements that shape and nurture our waking life. The way
you see the world, your family and your countrymen shape your perception of how our people are
influenced by their environment and its culture.
In this lesson, you will (based on MELCs) be able to exhibit understanding of perspective of
the various interactions of language, religion, race and ethnicity, and other dimensions of human life
such as economy and governments.

MY TARGETS
In this lesson, you will:
Instructional Objectives
1. summarize the benefits of human geography
2. formulate logical/sound responses to the questions related to race and ethnicity
3. define basic geographic concepts used throughout this lesson such as race, ethnicity,
language etc.

| Page 1
4. identify the distribution of the world's major language types and religions.
5. describe how languages and religions disperse throughout the world
6. identify religious conflicts and their core causes.
7. propose feasible plans to promote and preserve one’s ethnicity, language and
religion as presented in this lesson.

MY WARM-UP
1. Pre-assessment : Study the following bar chart.Answer the questions that
follow:

A. Which are the top 3 languages of the world ?

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
B. Name at least five countries beside USA, Great Britain, Canada and
Australia where English is the second language.

| Page 2
 1. ________________ 2. _______________ 3.________________
4. ________________ 5. _______________ 6. ________________
C. Which language(s) surpassed English in terms of native speakers?
__________________
Geography of Language
According to the an online article there are between 2000 and 4000 distinct
languages that are spoken in the world today! Language is defined as "a system of
communication through speech, a collection of sounds that a group of people understands
to have the same meaning". As such, it is the fundamental way in which culture is taught,
shared, and expressed among a group of people. In this lesson you will look at the origins,
diffusion, and current distribution of languages around the world. Languages are classified in
a hierarchy based on common language ancestors. At the broadest level is language family.
Languages within a family share some common ancestor before recorded history. A
language family is further divided into language branches, which contain languages with a
more recent common ancestor. Within language branches are language groups that contain
languages with a relatively recent ancestor and share fairly similar grammar and vocabulary.
Take a quick look at how global language is classified on page 21 of the textbook now to see
how this hierarchy works.
Language Origins It is difficult, if not impossible, to trace the first language ever created. But
we can assume that language came into being as soon as people could communicate
through gestures, speech, or symbols. In this short input, you will attempt to trace the origin
of the most populous language family, Indo European. Linguists theorize that a common
Indo-European language existed thousands of years ago. This language is called Proto-Indo-
European. The process of many languages being born out of one language is the ultimate
example of the evolutionary process of languages.
Two main theories explain the origin and evolution of the Proto-Indo European language. The first
theory is known as the Kurgan hearth theory. According to this theory, around 4300 B.C. a group of
people called the Kurgans lived near the modem-day Russia-Kazakhstan border. They were nomadic
herders who had to search for grasslands for their livestock. Instead of searching in the same area,
they split up into different groups that travelled in different directions. Because the Kurgan warriors
were a dominant group, they conquered many areas between 3500 and 2500 B.C. and instilled their
language in the places where Indo-European languages are now spoken. The other predominant
theory is known as the Anatolian hearth theory. This theory puts the first Proto-indo-European
speakers in Anatolia, a part of modem-day Turkey, two thousand years before the Kurgan people.
According to the Anatolia theory, the people of Anatolia and the Proto Indo-European language
diffused as a result of agrarian practices, not military conquest.
Language Diffusion
From these possible origins and early diffusions, the Indo-European languages spread to include the
lands from present day England all the way to India. Over time, through isolation and interaction with
other languages, the family was split into branches, groups, and individual languages. Today,
globalization has brought many of these once isolated languages back together, and a new round of
interactions are taking place. Language primarily diffuses from its point of origin through relocation
diffusion in the form of migration. People move to a new place and continue to speak their language.
English and Spanish, currently the two most prevalent languages in the Americas, both diffused

| Page 3
through relocation diffusion with colonists from Europe. Additionally, language can diffuse through
expansion diffusion. The adoption worldwide of English as the international language of commerce
and science is a great example of expansion diffusion
Task 1: Explore what you know

After reading the article above, answer In your own words which theory of the origin of
language is believable to you and why?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________.
“Relocation” and “interaction” were the two dominant ways in which language is diffused or
spread around the world. In your opinion, would you still claim that these two factors are still true
today? Discuss.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
.

MY READING TEXT

Have you ever wondered why knowing the language, religion, race and
ethnicity are important in understanding people from different cultures? Let us see
how these elements will broaden your understanding of human geography. This
time, you will have to read pages 21- 23. You will also have to answer the following
questions: If you like, you can refer to those pages of your textbook to help in
answering the questions

Task 2: Explain what you know

1. How does language become extinct?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

| Page 4
 _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2. Why do scholars and even language enthusiasts still study the dead
languages?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, in what way does religion build cohesion or solidarity
among people?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Reading: Geography of Religion
Scholars divide religions into two types: universalizing and ethnic. Universalizing
religions seek to spread their beliefs across the globe. Examples include Christianity, Islam,
and Buddhism, each of which is divided into different branches. Ethnic religions develop in
one area and focus on one group of people. They include judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism,
Daoism (Taoism), Shintoism, and many African animist religions. In most cases ethnic
religions are focused in one specific geographic area, such as Hinduism in India. However,
Judaism is one major exception; it was dispersed around the world after the diaspora in A.D.
70.
Origins of Religions
The origins of universalizing religions are traced back to their specific leaders; the
teachings of Jesus for Christianity, Muhammad for Islam, and Siddhartha Gautama for
Buddhism. The origins of universalizing religions can be traced because these religions are
relatively young in comparison to ethnic religions, whose origins often go beyond recorded
history and are therefore rather murky. Be sure you can identify where the main religions
discussed in the textbook originated. The origins of many religions are often related. The
textbook discusses the similar roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from their common
ancestors, Adam and Abraham. Christianity and Judaism trace their lineage through
Abraham's first wife, Sarah, and the couple's son Isaac while Islam traces its lineage through
Abraham and his second wife, Hagar, and this couple's son Ishmael. Sikhism is another
universalizing religion whose origin is related to other religions. Sikhism originated in the late

| Page 5
 1400s in the Punjab region near the border of India and Pakistan. In this region Islam and
Hinduism were battling for supremacy when Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, combined
elements of the two religions to fonn Sikhism
After reading your textbook and the text above , you will have a deeper
understanding of those topics if watch the videos below. To supplement and to
further deepen the inputs found in those pages of your textbook please get your USB
or open the following links:
A. Religion Unites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UEm4JKfZXY .If you are using your USB ,
please open the folder on Week 2 –Video 1
B. What is the world’s most peaceful religions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0W-a8Ux0Do If you are using your USB ,
please open the folder on Week 2 –Video 2
C. Do religion cause violence?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ZIx370qPU If you are using your USB , please
open the folder on Week 2 – Video 3

Task 3: Enhance Your Understanding

Now that you have learned about the different religions of the world and the three videos on
religion etc. Research the five dominant symbols of each religion. Draw them on the space
below or on separate paper.Label each symbol (see next page as an example).Do not repeat
what has already been shown as an example. State in one complete sentence the meaning of
each symbol. Submit your drawing together with this module.
Criteria
A. Accuracy of Form and Shape --- 10 points
(Fidelity to original form, shape and color )
B. Cleanliness -- 5 points
(The illustration is not smudged by other markings on the page)
C. Proportion -- 5 points
(The illustration is not too big neither it is too small for the naked eye)
D. Interpretation and Meaning – 5 points
(The meaning of the symbol is clearly stated in sentence form

| Page 6
 The Star of David
Hinduism

Buddhism
The Khanda

The Crescent
Star Islam

An Eight Spoke Wheel Christianity

The Cross

Sikhism

Task # 4: Extend…connecting to the real world…

You are a concerned citizen of your country . You will write an open letter to the
different leaders of various religious faith urging them to unite and be one in this challenging
period of the pandemic. Your letter will be published in major national newspapers. Your
message must be clear, specific and should not exceed more than 250 words. Write your
letter below. You will be graded on the following criteria

A. Content ---- 15 points

| Page 7
(This contains the substance of the letter. The letter contains clearly the message of the
writer. Its thesis or central thought is very clear to the reader)
B. Organization – 10 points .
(The letter is very organized in thought. The reader follows logically the flow of ideas of the
writer. It presents a clear introduction, body and conclusion or a reiteration .)
C. Mechanics -- 5 points
( The text has correct spelling, grammar and punctuation)

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
____________________________________
Task # 5: Evaluate what you have learned.
Formulate two general questions about this lesson. Questions should not answerable by yes
or no. Provide your own answer to your questions.

Q 1. _______________________________________________________________________
A. 1
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

| Page 8
Reference and Links

Printed Materials:

Celada, A.R. and Dela Cruz, E L. ( 2019) World History in Focus 8 Tetbook. Diwa Learning
Systems Inc. Makati City.

Electronic:

“A Geography of Languages.”
https://course-notes.org/human_geography/outlines/human_geography_culture_society_and_spac
e_8th_edition_textbook/chapter_8_a_ Retrieved July 6, 2020

“Do religion cause violence?”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ZIx370qPU Retrieved July 6,

2020
“Geography of Religion” https://study.com/academy/lesson/geography-of-religion-political-social-
impacts.html Retrieved July 6, 2020

“Religion Unites” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UEm4JKfZXY Retrieved July 6, 2020

“What is the world’s most peaceful religions?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0W-a8Ux0Do

Retrieved July 6, 2020

| Page 9
| Page 10