What is acculturation
Acculturation is the process through which an individual, a group of people or a people acquires and assimilates the traits and elements of another culture different from their own.
In this way and for various reasons, many individuals or social groups have modified or adapted various cultural elements of their own by others, putting their culture in danger of losing.
It is worth mentioning that acculturation is a process that has occurred since ancient times throughout the history of man and from the first moment in which different social communities made contact.
Acculturation occurs in varying degrees of intensity depending on the cultural modifications that are carried out, which can range from the slightest, such as the use of a new word, to the most perceptible and noticeable, such as the modification of a social value.
In general, the traits of the dominant cultures are adopted over the weaker ones. That is to say, changes are imposed but in an asymmetrical manner, because although there may be a mutual exchange of cultures, one will always stand out and dominate the other.
All those cases of colonized peoples can be seen as clear examples of acculturation, in which external customs were more dominant and, in some cases destructive, over those that they modified or altered.
Acculturation is a constant process, whether due to direct or indirect causes of globalization, economic exchanges or technological advances that facilitate interconnection and communication, among others. In these cases we can speak of acculturation achieved peacefully.
However, it can also be achieved through a violent process when armed confrontations break out and the stronger groups overcome and dominate, in different ways, including culturally, the weaker ones.
However, acculturation, whether individual or group, is not a one-off event; on the contrary, it is generated over time in a continuous and systematic manner. These modifications take time in which resistance and domination are perceived.
Examples of acculturation
There are various examples of acculturation. Among the most notable are the following:
The colonization of America is an example of violent acculturation. The colonizers faced the native groups and won the fight. Consequently, they imposed their customs, languages, values, religion, among others, on the cultures and traditions of the indigenous communities.
The migration It is also an example of acculturation. When there are important human groups that emigrate from one country to another, they take their culture with them, instilling it in the little ones. However, many others are losing their traditions and adapting to the culture of the place where they are. the globalization Various cases of acculturation have also occurred as a consequence of cultural exchange. Among them we can mention the use of words in foreign languages, generally in English, to refer to a product or service. Another example of acculturation is consumption of exported productseither due to its quality or low price, which also derive from the adoption of new customs and market domination.
Difference between acculturation and transculturation
As mentioned throughout the text, acculturation It refers to the process through which one’s own culture is changed, totally or partially, for another.
On the other hand, it is called transculturation the process through which a town or community exchanges and adopts cultural traits different from its own gradually, as people communicate and relate.
However, Both terms are related because they affect the original culture of a groupas well as the personal and social identity of a people.
The alteration of cultural bases affects individuals, especially their identity, customs and social values. Hence, acculturation or transculturation has both positive and negative effects on individuals.
See also Culture, Transculturation and Endoculturation.