Diffusion of Religion and Language
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ethnic religion/ˈeθnɪk rɪˈlɪdʒn/ | A religion closely associated with a particular people or cultural group and generally not focused on converting all humanity. |
| universalizing religion/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəlaɪzɪŋ rɪˈlɪdʒn/ | A religion that seeks followers beyond a particular ethnic group and presents its teachings as broadly applicable. |
| language families/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ ˈfæmɪliz/ | Groups of languages that developed from a common ancestral language. |
| dialects/ˈdaɪəlekts/ | Regional or social varieties of a language distinguished by features such as pronunciation, vocabulary or grammar. |
| lingua franca/ˈlɪŋɡjuːə ˈfræŋkə/ | A shared language used between different groups (like English online). |
Two great diffusers
- Religions and languages are the clearest examples of cultural diffusion.
- Both spread through migration, trade, and conquest.
- Both can split, blend, or die out over time.
Universalizing vs ethnic religions
- A universalizing religion 普世宗教 seeks converts and spreads widely (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism).
- An ethnic religion 民族宗教 is tied to one group and spreads mainly by migration (Hinduism, Judaism).
- Universalizing religions use expansion and relocation diffusion.
Universalizing religions spread far from their hearths; ethnic religions stay clustered
Universalizing or ethnic religion?
Sort each feature as belonging to a universalizing or ethnic religion.
A religion that actively seeks converts and spreads across many cultures is...
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Universalizing religions seek converts everywhere.
Ethnic religions usually spread mainly through the migration of their followers.
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Yes — ethnic religions are tied to one group and move with them.
Select all universalizing religions.
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Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism seek converts; Judaism is an ethnic religion.
Language families and change
- Languages belong to language families 语系 that share a common ancestor.
- They spread with migration and trade, and can split into dialects 方言.
- A lingua franca 通用语 is a shared language used between different groups (like English online).
A shared language used between groups who speak different first languages is a lingua ____.
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A lingua franca (like English online) bridges different language groups.
Match each term to its meaning.
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Universalizing = converts; ethnic = one group; lingua franca = shared language.
Do not confuse the two religion types. A universalizing religion actively seeks converts everywhere; an ethnic religion is usually tied to one people and place. The trap is assuming every religion spreads the same way.
Islam spread by both conquest and trade across three continents, seeking converts — a universalizing religion. Hinduism, tied mainly to the people of India, spread chiefly when Indians migrated — an ethnic religion. English became a global lingua franca through trade and empire.
Universalizing religions seek converts and spread widely; ethnic religions tie to one group and spread by migration. Languages form language families, split into dialects, and a shared lingua franca links different groups (English online).
Write from a universalizing religion
- A religion sends missionaries and seeks converts everywhere.
- Membership is not limited to one ethnic group.
Is this religion universalizing or ethnic?
Universalizing religions aim to appeal to anyone.
What kind of religion seeks converts everywhere?
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Seeking converts beyond one group is universalizing.