Cross-Cultural Equivalents Quiz

Cross-Cultural Equivalents

• The document lists paired concepts to help with translation or cultural adaptation.
• Each pair includes a concept in one language and its corresponding concept in another language, likely Spanish.
• The table shows a list of equivalents for various concepts, including cultural differences, communication, social behavior, and perception.
• The concepts are listed in a table with two columns: “Concept (Likely English)” and “Equivalent (Likely Spanish)”.
• Due to handwriting style, the exact nature of the source language is uncertain.
• The specific terms also require context for a precise and absolute translation, therefore, the possible meaning and equivalents of the concept are written within the parenthesis.

The Dynastic Union of the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon

• The union of Castile and Aragon in 1469 was a personal union, not an institutional union.
• This meant that both kingdoms had the same monarchs, but they retained their own separate institutions and laws.
• Although both monarchs could make political decisions, Isabel of Castile held the rights of succession.
• Fernando of Aragon was co-regent but Isabel had the right to rule and was the only one who could inherit the throne.
• The union of both kingdoms contributed to the formation of the Spanish Monarchy, also known as the Hispanic Monarchy.
• Castile was dominant within the Spanish Monarchy for various reasons, including size, population, and economic power.

The Formation of the Modern State

• The Catholic Monarchs (Isabel and Fernando) aimed to transform the traditional feudal monarchy into a modern, authoritarian one with centralized power.
• They implemented a series of reforms to strengthen the monarchy's authority, including:
  • Reforming the justice system, strengthening royal authority.
  • Establishing a hierarchy of courts:
    • Corregidores: local courts in charge of first instance.
    • Chancillerias or Audiencias: higher courts (Valladolid in the north and Granada in the south, established in 1505).
    • The Royal Council: Highest court, serving as a supreme tribunal.
• Religion was used to unify the territory.
• The Catholic Monarchs saw Christianity as a fundamental basis for unity, excluding Jews and Muslims.
• This led to a series of initiatives against the two religious minorities:
  • Expulsion of Jews: This occurred in 1492.
  • Forced conversion of Muslims: These conversions were later enforced.
  • The Spanish Inquisition: established in 1478 to investigate and persecute those suspected of heresy, especially "false converts" to Christianity (people who were suspected of continuing to practice their original religion in secret).
• The Spanish Inquisition operated under the direct authority of the monarchs, serving as a tool for their authoritarian policies.