Unit 1 - Myths and Legends Flashcards
How does Yuval Noah Harari define the Cognitive Revolution?
The Cognitive Revolution refers to a pivotal event in human history. Sudden expansion of cognitive abilities experimented by early humans between 70,000 and 30,000 BC set Homo sapiens apart from other species and led to their dominance on the planet. One of the main outcomes of the Cognitive Revolution was the development of complex language that enabled social cooperation, and the structuring and sharing of imagined realities and beliefs.
What are language universals?
Patterns that occur systematically across languages and are potentially true for all of them, such as all spoken languages have consonants and vowels. Language universals provide insight into the cognitive and social functions of language, revealing commonalities that reflect the shared aspects of human experience and cognition.
What are myths?
Myths are traditional stories or legends that convey cultural beliefs, values, and explanations of natural or social phenomena. They play a central role in all cultures, helping people comprehend and interpret the world around them. Some myths explain the early history of a group of people, other elucidate natural events or facts, and yet others address psychological or moral dilemmas.
What is a toponym?
A toponym, or place name, is the name assigned to geographical features. These features include bodies of water (e.g. canals, rivers and oceans), landforms (e.g. valleys and hills), human settlements (e.g. villages, roads, mills and churches), and administrative divisions (e.g. states, city neighbourhoods, and church parishes). Toponyms reflect the historical and cultural heritage of an area and often endure long after the culture and language that created them have vanished.
