Acculturative – Definition & Meaning

Acculturation is a process of cultural exchange that occurs when two or more cultures come into contact. It involves changes in the cultural patterns of either or both groups. Acculturative is an adjective that describes the process of acculturation. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of acculturative.

Definitions

Acculturative refers to the process of adapting to a new culture or the changes that occur when two or more cultures come into contact. It can also refer to the cultural changes that occur when a group migrates from one region to another.

Origin

The term acculturative comes from the word acculturation, which is derived from the Latin word “cultura,” meaning cultivation. The term was first used by American anthropologist, Edward Burnett Tylor, in his book “Primitive Culture” in 1871.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, acculturative means “of or relating to the process of cultural change that results from contact between two or more different cultures.”

The Oxford English Dictionary defines acculturative as “of or relating to the process of cultural change that occurs when two or more cultures come into contact.”

Associations

Acculturative is often associated with the process of assimilation, which involves adopting the cultural practices of the dominant group. It is also associated with the concept of cultural pluralism, which involves recognizing and respecting the diversity of cultures within a society.

Synonyms

Some synonyms of acculturative include assimilative, transformative, and integrative.

Antonyms

Antonyms of acculturative include isolationist, xenophobic, and ethnocentric.

The same root words

The root word of acculturative is “culture,” which refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group or society.

Example Sentences

1. The acculturative process can be challenging for immigrants who are trying to adapt to a new culture.
2. The acculturative changes that occurred when the Spanish colonized the Americas were significant and far-reaching.
3. The school’s acculturative program aims to help students from diverse backgrounds integrate into the school community.
4. The acculturative experience of studying abroad can be transformative and life-changing.
5. The acculturative process requires an open mind and a willingness to learn about and respect other cultures.