Final answer:
Communication is key in distinguishing between popular and folk culture by how cultural practices are transmitted and spread, either preserved within isolated communities or expanding and evolving with technology's influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication plays a pivotal role in helping geographers distinguish between popular culture and folk culture. In the realm of geography, culture is often viewed spatially, which means that certain practices and behaviors unique to an isolated population are considered part of a folk culture.
Communication, whether it be through word of mouth in traditional societies, or modern digital media, influences the spread and evolution of cultural practices. As folk culture practices are passed down within a community, they tend to be non-commercial and localized.
However, with advancements in technology such as the telegraph and the railroad, and now digital media, there has been a tendency for these local practices to become popularized and commercialized once they spread outside of their community. Folk cultures require a certain degree of isolation to continue; therefore, when these practices become widespread, they are no longer characterized as 'folk' and are instead seen as elements of popular culture.The role of communication in distinguishing between these types of cultures is clear when considering the mediums used for transmission.
For example, radio and digital media can create new forms of sociality and help spread folk practices beyond their initial boundaries, leading to the evolution of popular culture. The spatial perspective of geography allows for an analysis of how these practices spread and transform, highlighting the importance of communication in the definition of culture.