Assimilation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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assimilation
[ษหsษชmษหleษชสษn ]
Definitions
cultural
The process of adapting or adjusting to the customs, attitudes, or values of a different cultural group. It involves blending in with the dominant culture while still maintaining aspects of one's original culture.
Synonyms
acculturation, adaptation, integration.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| assimilation |
Assimilation is used when a person or group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of another culture, often losing their original identity. This term can sometimes have a negative connotation as it may imply the erasure of one's original cultural identity.
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| integration |
Integration refers to the process of combining different groups into a unified whole while respecting the diversity of the groups involved. It often has positive connotations of inclusiveness and multiculturalism.
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| acculturation |
Acculturation refers to the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group while still maintaining aspects of the original culture. It is a mutual cultural exchange.
|
| adaptation |
Adaptation is used to describe the process of adjusting or modifying oneโs behavior or ways of doing things to better suit a new environment or situation. It doesnโt necessarily involve cultural change.
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Examples of usage
- Assimilation of immigrants into American society is a complex and ongoing process.
- Many second-generation immigrants experience a sense of assimilation as they navigate between their heritage and the mainstream culture.
phonetics
The modification of a sound by its neighboring sounds. It can involve changing the sound to become more similar to a neighboring sound, such as the pronunciation of 'handbag' as /hรฆmbรฆษก/ due to the influence of the following /b/ sound.
Synonyms
phonetic modification, sound change.
Examples of usage
- In the word 'input', the assimilation of the /n/ sound to become more like the following /p/ sound is a common phonetic process.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Studies
- Assimilation can involve changes in language, dress, food preferences, and social behaviors.
- In multicultural societies, the degree of assimilation can vary greatly, leading to layers of cultural identity.
- Challenges can arise, as individuals may feel they lose aspects of their original culture while assimilating.
Psychology
- The process is often analyzed in terms of cognitive psychology, where new information is integrated into existing frameworks.
- Studies show that assimilation can lead to reduced stress and increased mental well-being for individuals in a new environment.
- However, it can also create internal conflict for those managing dual identities.
History
- Colonial powers often enforced assimilation policies to integrate indigenous populations into a dominant culture.
- The Civil Rights Movement highlighted the push against forced assimilation and the importance of cultural preservation.
- Historical events, such as the Vietnam War, significantly impacted the assimilation of Southeast Asian refugees in the U.S.
Education
- Classroom settings often utilize assimilation techniques to help students from diverse backgrounds integrate.
- Language immersion programs can be effective in promoting assimilation by helping non-native speakers learn the dominant language early.
- Debates about assimilation in education often center around maintaining cultural heritage versus promoting unity within diverse student bodies.
Origin of 'assimilation'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Latin word 'assimilare', which means 'to make similar'.
- Originally used in the context of science to describe how substances mix together.
- In social science, it began to be used in the late 19th century to describe how immigrants adapt to new cultures.
The word 'assimilation' has its origins in the Latin word 'assimilatio', which means 'likeness' or 'resemblance'. It first appeared in English in the 15th century with a general meaning of 'the act of making similar'. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various contexts, including cultural assimilation and phonetic assimilation in linguistics.