Acculturation

Source: The Hindu

Introduction :

• A sociological concept that explains the changes that occur when two or more groups come in contact with each other & exchange aspects of their cultures is Acculturation.
• This concept and term were coined in 1880 by American geologist John Wesley Powel.
• He defined Acculturation as the psychological changes induced in people due to cross-cultural imitation, resulting from the interaction with different cultures.

Two-Way process

• The most prevalent use of the concepts is about the cultural exchange between minority group, that migrates to a new society with a predominant majority group.
• The concept became popular among American sociologists.
• Assimilation is defined as a process in which groups adopt a new culture that virtually replaces their original culture, leaving only traces behind.
• Acculturation is a two-way process, wherein the minority culture adopts aspects of the majority to fit in & the culture of the majority is influenced by that of the minority.
• Acculturation affects various aspects of life including dietary patterns, fashion, art, architecture, work culture, and literature.
• The process can occur at both individual & group levels and also between groups that may not be a majority or a minority in society.

Outcomes :

• Assimilation and acculturation are entirely different. Assimilation is one of the many eventual outcomes of acculturation.
• Based on the strategies adopted by individuals involved in cultural exchange, acculturation may result in rejection, integration, marginalization, and transmutation.
• Since cultures are ever-loving, the outcomes of the process may transform with time.

Assimilation :

• It refers to the process by which individuals eventually become indistinguishable from the culture they come in contact with.
• It occurs when the importance given to one’s culture is minuscule & where fitting in is given high significance, deeming it necessary for survival in a new cultural space.

Separation :

Separation refers to the process wherein an individual comes in contact with a new cultural group but doesn’t embrace aspects of the new culture while maintaining one’s traditions & customs usually occurs in culturally segregated societies.

Integration :

• An individual adapts to a new culture while maintaining their original culture.
• Cultural adoption is considered significant for the smooth functioning of society.
• A strategy like that is used in a multicultural society with a relatively high proportion of minority groups.
• Individuals who use this strategy can switch between the values & norms of the different cultures they have absorbed to interact with groups from both cultures with ease.

Marginalization :

• Marginalization occurs when individuals barely interact with a new cultural group.
• This strategy results in the isolation of the person or group, pushing them aside to the corners of society, forgotten by the rest.
• It becomes impossible to interact & integrate with a different cultural group where cultural exclusion is practised.

Transmutation :

• Transmutation is the process in which importance is placed on both, maintaining one’s own culture while adopting aspects of a new culture.
• Instead of integrating & switching between the codes & conducts of two different cultures, the cultures are amalgamated into creating a new one.
• A unique blend of two cultures creates a new one that is accepted by both individuals.

Indian Fusion :

• India with a fusion of various cultures has archetypes that present us with a deeper understanding of the concept of acculturation & its outcomes.
• The origins of popular food items like biryanis, and falooda can be traced back to Persian origins.
• The Urdu language, a blend of Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hindi is a beautiful example of the amalgamation & transmutation of cultures.
• The architectures of Christian churches in Kerala have marks of Hindu architectural styles.
• Sculptures of Christian deities inside a lotus similar to that of Hindu deities, sculptures of animals like cows, elephants, and monkeys carved onto the church walls, use of traditional lamps in churches are examples of the integration of Hindu & Christian traditions & cultures in Indian society.

Epilogue :

Acculturation is an inevitable social process, as migration & interactions with different cultures have always been part of the evolution of civilization.

Those interactions have become a part of our daily lives due to the multi-cultural nature of present society.

A harmonious exchange of cultures between various groups is imperative for a peaceful society.