The term ‘acculturation’ was formulated in 1880 by John Wesley Powel, an American geologist, in a report for the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology. Powel identified acculturation as psychological changes that people undergo due to cross-cultural imitation. This often occurs when individuals or groups interact with different cultures.
Nowadays, acculturation is perceived as the process where individuals or groups from one culture come into contact with another, adopting the latter’s values and practices whilst still retaining their unique identity. For instance, this can be seen in how Black Americans have integrated within white American society. Sociologists view acculturation as a dual-way process where minority cultures adopt aspects from the majority to blend in, and concurrently, the culture of the majority is also influenced by the minority.
Exploring Various Outcomes of Acculturation
Acculturation results in various outcomes including assimilation, separation, integration, marginalization, and transmutation. Assimilation refers to instances wherein cultures adopt a new culture that nearly erases their original culture, leaving only mere traces. The assimilated individuals or groups become indistinguishable from the culture they came into contact with. A study conducted by W.I. Thomas and Florian Znaniecki in 1918 provided deeper insights into this concept.
Separation is a process where an individual or group comes into contact with a new culture but does not embrace its aspects, thus maintaining their unique identity. On the other hand, integration occurs when an individual or group adapts to a new culture while preserving their original culture.
Marginalisation is another outcome that happens when individuals or groups barely interact with a new cultural group, resulting in isolation. Finally, we have transmutation, a process involving the maintenance of one’s own culture while also adopting elements of a new one. This process creates a unique blend of the two cultures.
Acculturation in India’s Context
India’s unique blend of various cultures provides a deep understanding of the concept of acculturation and its outcomes. Persian culture has greatly influenced Indian society, from popular food items like biryanis and faloodas to the Urdu language, a fusion of Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hindi.
In terms of architecture, Christian Churches in Kerala such as the Cheriapally (small church) in Kottayam or the Pazhaya Suriyani Pally (old Syrian church) in Chengannur exhibit elements of Hindu Temple architectural styles. Additionally, sculptures depicting Christian deities inside a lotus similar to Hindu deities and carvings of animals like cows, elephants, and monkeys on church walls exemplify the integration of Hindu and Christian traditions and cultures within Indian society.
The Significance of Acculturation
Acculturation is a pivotal social process as migration and interactions with different cultures have always been integral to the evolution of civilization. It allows us to learn about, understand and appreciate the various aspects of different cultures. Dissonance towards other cultures and the belief that one’s heritage is superior can result in marginalization and separation of different cultures, which can disrupt societal functioning. A harmonious exchange of cultures amongst diverse groups is vital for maintaining peace within society.