Acculturation in Literature & Literary Theory

Acculturation: Etymology and Concept

Etymology:

The term “acculturation” finds its roots in the Latin word “acculturatio,” which emerged in the mid-19th century. The Latin base “acculturare” means to assimilate or adopt the cultural traits of another group.

The term gained prominence in anthropological and sociological discourse during the early 20th century, particularly in the works of scholars like Bronisław Malinowski and Redfield.

Concept:

Acculturation

Definition: The dynamic and multifaceted process of cultural exchange and mutual influence that occurs when two or more different cultural groups come into direct and continuous contact.

Key Elements:

– Cultural Exchange: Interaction leading to the exchange of cultural elements such as language, customs, and traditions.

– Mutual Influence: Both cultures undergo changes as a result of their interaction, affecting beliefs, behaviors, and social structures.

– Adaptation: Individuals and groups adjust to the new cultural environment, incorporating aspects of the host culture into their own.

– Integration: Formation of a hybrid culture or a blending of elements from both cultures.

Modes:

– Assimilation: Full adoption of the dominant culture, often resulting in the loss of the original cultural identity.

– Integration: Coexistence of both the original and host cultures, creating a multicultural identity.

– Separation: Maintaining the original culture while avoiding significant interaction with the dominant culture.

– Marginalization: Minimal engagement with both the original and host cultures, leading to a sense of cultural alienation.

Factors Influencing Acculturation:

– Duration and Intensity of Contact: The longer and more intense the contact, the greater the acculturative changes.

– Power Dynamics: The relative power of the cultures involved can influence the direction and outcome of acculturation.

– Cultural Similarity: Similarities between the original and host cultures may facilitate acculturation.

– Individual Characteristics: Personal factors, such as personality and motivation, play a role in how individuals acculturate.

Implications:

– Cultural Diversity: Acculturation contributes to the richness and diversity of cultures, fostering a dynamic global cultural landscape.

– Identity Formation: Acculturation shapes individual and collective identities, influencing how people perceive themselves and others.

– Challenges and Adaptation: Acculturative stress may arise, but successful adaptation can lead to enhanced cultural competence and resilience.

Acculturation: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Acculturation is a theoretical term that encapsulates the dynamic and reciprocal process of cultural change that occurs when two or more distinct cultural groups come into sustained contact. It involves the exchange of cultural elements, mutual influence, and adaptation, leading to modifications in the beliefs, behaviors, and social structures of the interacting groups. The concept is instrumental in understanding how individuals and communities navigate the complexities of cultural encounters, encompassing diverse modes such as assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization.

Acculturation: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Key Works	Central Argument
Bronisław Malinowski	Argonauts of the Western Pacific (1922)	Emphasized the functionalist perspective, contending that cultural practices, including acculturation, serve specific societal functions and contribute to social stability and equilibrium.
Robert Redfield	The Folk Culture of Yucatan (1941)	Introduced the concept of the “folk-urban continuum” and argued that acculturation involves the interaction between rural and urban cultures, influencing the degree of cultural change and adaptation.
John W. Berry	Acculturation as Varieties of Adaptation (1997)	Proposed the bidimensional model of acculturation, distinguishing between cultural maintenance and contact with other cultures, offering a nuanced understanding of how individuals adapt to new cultural contexts.
Milton Gordon	Assimilation in American Life (1964)	Advanced the assimilation theory, positing a linear process where individuals gradually adopt the values and practices of the dominant culture, ultimately leading to a homogeneous societal structure.
John Berry & Jean Phinney	Socialization in Bicultural America (2007)	Expanded on acculturation by introducing the concept of biculturalism, arguing that individuals can simultaneously maintain their original culture while adapting to the dominant culture, fostering a dual cultural identity.

Acculturation: Major Characteristics

• Cultural Exchange: Involves the interactive sharing of cultural elements, such as language, customs, and traditions, between different cultural groups.
• Mutual Influence: Both interacting cultures undergo changes, influencing each other’s beliefs, behaviors, and social structures through continuous contact.
• Adaptation: Individuals and groups adjust to the new cultural environment, integrating aspects of the host culture into their own practices and lifestyles.
• Integration: Results in the formation of a hybrid culture, where elements from both the original and host cultures coexist, contributing to a multicultural identity.
• Modes:
  • Assimilation: Full adoption of the dominant culture, often leading to the loss of the original cultural identity.
  • Integration: Coexistence of both the original and host cultures, fostering a multicultural identity.
  • Separation: Maintaining the original culture while avoiding significant interaction with the dominant culture.
  • Marginalization: Minimal engagement with both the original and host cultures, leading to a sense of cultural alienation.
• Factors Influencing It:
  • Duration and Intensity of Contact: The longer and more intense the contact, the greater the acculturative changes.
  • Power Dynamics: The relative power of the cultures involved can shape the direction and outcome of acculturation.
  • Cultural Similarity: Similarities between the original and host cultures may facilitate the acculturation process.
  • Individual Characteristics: Personal factors, such as personality and motivation, play a role in how individuals acculturate.
• Implications:
  • Cultural Diversity: Acculturation contributes to the richness and diversity of cultures, fostering a dynamic global cultural landscape.
  • Identity Formation: Shapes individual and collective identities, influencing how people perceive themselves and others.
  • Challenges and Adaptation: Acculturative stress may arise, but successful adaptation can lead to enhanced cultural competence and resilience.

Acculturation: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Acculturation
Postcolonial Theory	Acculturation is central to postcolonial literature, exploring the impact of colonial encounters on the cultures of colonized societies. It delves into the complexities of cultural assimilation, resistance, and the negotiation of identities in the aftermath of colonization.
Cultural Studies	Acculturation is a key theme, as cultural studies in literature examine the dynamics of cultural exchange, hybridity, and the ways in which literature reflects and shapes cultural identities. The interplay between different cultures is a focal point for analysis within this theoretical framework.
Feminist Literary Theory	Acculturation intersects with feminist literary theory as it scrutinizes the experiences of women in the context of cultural change. The examination of how women negotiate and navigate cultural expectations and norms is central to understanding the gendered aspects of acculturation in literature.
Postmodernism	Acculturation plays a role in postmodern literature by challenging traditional notions of a stable, unified cultural identity. Postmodern texts often explore fragmented and fluid identities, reflecting the influence of diverse cultures and the blurring of boundaries in a globalized world.
New Criticism	While New Criticism traditionally focuses on close readings of texts, acculturation may be examined within this framework concerning how authors use language and literary devices to represent the clash or fusion of cultures within the narrative, contributing to the overall meaning and impact of the work.
Marxist Literary Theory	It is considered within the broader socio-economic context in Marxist literary theory. It analyzes how power dynamics and class structures influence the acculturation process, with literature serving as a lens to examine the impact of cultural assimilation on different social classes.

Acculturation: Application in Critiques

1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Acculturation Perspective: Achebe’s novel explores the impact of European colonialism on the Igbo society in Nigeria. The protagonist, Okonkwo, grapples with the collision of traditional Igbo values and the encroachment of Western ideals, highlighting the complexities and challenges of acculturation.
   • Critique: Achebe skillfully portrays the tension between the indigenous culture and the forces of acculturation, offering a poignant critique of the destructive consequences of cultural clashes and the erosion of traditional values.
2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan:
   • Acculturation Perspective: Tan’s novel delves into the experiences of Chinese-American immigrants and their daughters in the United States. It explores the process of acculturation as characters navigate the dual identity of being both Chinese and American, examining the generational differences in cultural assimilation.
   • Critique: Tan provides a nuanced portrayal of acculturation, emphasizing the challenges faced by individuals straddling two cultures. The novel serves as a compelling critique of the complexities of identity and the enduring impact of cultural heritage.
3. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri:
   • Acculturation Perspective: Lahiri’s novel follows the life of Gogol Ganguli, an Indian-American navigating the challenges of assimilating into American culture while preserving his Bengali heritage. The narrative unfolds the intricacies of acculturation within the context of the immigrant experience.
   • Critique: Lahiri offers a sensitive exploration of acculturation, skillfully depicting the internal and external conflicts that arise from balancing multiple cultural identities. The novel serves as a poignant critique of the complexities inherent in the process of cultural adaptation.
4. White Teeth by Zadie Smith:
   • Acculturation Perspective: Smith’s novel explores the lives of diverse characters in London, depicting the intergenerational experiences of immigrants from different cultural backgrounds. It critically examines the impact of globalization and multiculturalism on identity formation and cultural blending.
   • Critique: White Teeth provides a thought-provoking critique of acculturation in a multicultural society, addressing issues of cultural hybridity and the evolving nature of identity. Smith’s narrative skillfully captures the dynamic interplay of cultures in a rapidly changing world.

Acculturation: Relevant Terms

1. Hybridity:: Blending diverse cultural elements to create a new, dynamic cultural form in literature.
2. Otherness: The perception of being different or foreign, explored in characters or societies undergoing acculturation.
3. Postcolonialism: Theoretical framework examining colonialism’s impact on power dynamics, often reflected in literature.
4. Diaspora: Dispersion of a population from its homeland, a theme in literature exploring acculturation.
5. Cultural Hegemony: Dominance of one culture over others, critiqued or reflected in literature during acculturation.
6. Third Space: Concept of transcending cultural boundaries to create new identities, often discussed in hybrid literature.
7. Multiculturalism: Coexistence of multiple cultural traditions within a society, portrayed in literature during acculturation.
8. Globalization: Interconnectedness of global cultures, impacting local cultures, explored in literature.
9. Intertextuality: Interconnectedness of texts, highlighting influences of different cultural narratives in literature.
10. Cultural Capital: Non-financial social assets contributing to social status, explored in literature during acculturation.

Acculturation: Suggested Readings

1. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994.
2. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. Penguin Books, 2006.
3. Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Mariner Books, 2004.
4. Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. Vintage, 2001.
5. Malinowski, Bronisław. Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Routledge, 2014.
6. Redfield, Robert. The Folk Culture of Yucatan. University of Chicago Press, 1941.
7. Berry, John W. Acculturation as Varieties of Adaptation. Cambridge University Press, 1997.
8. Gordon, Milton. Assimilation in American Life. Oxford University Press, 1964.
9. Said, Edward W. Culture and Imperialism. Vintage, 1994.