Barbarizing - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

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cultural context

Barbarizing refers to the process of making something more barbarous or less refined, often through exposure to uncivilized or primitive influences. It can imply a decline in cultural or social standards.

Synonyms

degrade, dehumanize, deteriorate.

Examples of usage

The invasion led to the barbarizing of the once sophisticated society.
Critics argued that the popular media was barbarizing the younger generation.
His actions were seen as barbarizing the art form, stripping it of its elegance.
The novel depicted the barbarizing effects of war on human behavior.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Perspectives

In the Enlightenment, philosophers warned against 'barbarizing' influences, fearing that society could regress from reason to chaos.
The Colonial period often depicted indigenous cultures as 'barbarizing,' misrepresenting complex societies to justify exploitation.
Modern discussions of cultural appropriation sometimes describe acts deemed 'barbarizing' towards a culture, indicating a loss of respect for its traditions.

Literature

In literature, characters representing 'barbarizing' behavior often serve as cautionary tales about losing civility and humanity.
Dystopian novels frequently explore societies that have devolved into 'barbarizing' practices, reflecting fears of societal collapse.
Famous works such as Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' illustrate the tension between civilization and barbarism in their character dynamics.

Psychology

Studies in social psychology examine how group identity can lead to 'barbarizing' behaviors, especially in conflict situations.
Deindividualization can occur in groups, leading to 'barbarizing' actions where individuals act out in ways they wouldn't alone.
Self-control and empathy levels influence how prone individuals are to exhibit barbarizing behaviors during social interactions.

Modern Society

In contemporary discourse, 'barbarizing' often refers to the erosion of civil discourse in politics and social media.
Artistic expressions can sometimes be accused of 'barbarizing' when they shock or challenge societal norms in extreme ways.
Debates about free speech vs. hate speech often revolve around whether certain expressions might lead to a 'barbarizing' of public dialogue.

Origin of 'barbarizing'

Main points about word origin

The word originates from the term 'barbarian,' which comes from the Greek word 'barbaros,' meaning non-Greek or foreign, often implying a lack of culture.
Historically, Romans viewed outsiders as 'barbarians,' showing how language reflects societal attitudes towards different cultures.
The suffix '-izing' suggests a process or action, turning the state of being barbaric into an act.

The term 'barbarizing' originates from the root word 'barbarian,' which has its origins in the Greek word 'barbaros.' The Greek used this term to describe people whose speech sounded like gibberish, hence implying a lack of civilization. As the term evolved, it came to signify a person or behavior that is brutal, uncivilized, or savage. 'Barbarizing' emerged in English to denote the act of adopting or instigating such uncivilized traits or influences. The word reflects the historical context of civilizations encountering and often responding to perceived savagery. In modern usage, it encompasses cultural degradation, suggesting a reversal of the processes that characterize civilized behavior and norms.

Barbarizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations