Biculturalism in Literature & Literary Theory

Biculturalism: Etymology

The term “biculturalism” originates from the fusion of two words: “bi,” meaning two, and “culture,” referring to the shared beliefs, customs, and practices of a particular group. The concept emerged in the mid-20th century, emphasizing the coexistence and integration of two distinct cultural identities within an individual or a society.

• Biculturalism is a Social and Psychological Phenomenon: Emphasizes the coexistence and integration of two distinct cultural identities within an individual or a society.
• Goes Beyond Mere Exposure to Multiple Cultures: Highlights active participation and integration of diverse cultural elements into an individual’s identity or within a society.
• Bicultural Individuals Navigate and Harmonize: Individuals navigate and harmonize the values, behaviors, and customs of both cultures, fostering a unique and dynamic cultural identity.
• Encompasses the Richness of Multiple Cultural Influences: Recognizes the multifaceted nature of cultural identity by incorporating the richness of multiple cultural influences.
• Recognizes the Fluid and Evolving Nature of Cultural Identity: Acknowledges that cultural identity is not static but rather fluid and evolving over time.
• Acknowledges Coexistence and Mutual Enrichment: Recognizes the simultaneous coexistence and mutual enrichment of different cultural traditions within the concept of biculturalism.

Biculturalism: Meanings

• Combination of Two Cultures: Biculturalism literally refers to the combination or coexistence of two distinct cultures within an individual or a community.
• Dual Cultural Identity: In a literal sense, biculturalism implies the possession of a dual cultural identity, wherein individuals or groups identify with and participate in the practices of two different cultures.
• Integration of Diverse Cultural Elements: Literally, biculturalism involves the integration of diverse cultural elements, encompassing the customs, traditions, and values from two distinct cultural backgrounds.
• Simultaneous Engagement with Two Cultures: At its core, biculturalism entails the simultaneous engagement with and involvement in the customs, beliefs, and practices of two separate cultures.
• Dynamic Coexistence of Cultural Traditions: Literally, biculturalism suggests the dynamic coexistence of cultural traditions, where individuals or communities navigate and balance the influences of two different cultural heritages.

Biculturalism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Biculturalism, as a theoretical term, denotes the nuanced coexistence and active engagement with two distinct cultural identities within an individual or a societal context.

It involves the simultaneous integration of diverse cultural elements, encompassing customs, values, and practices from two separate cultural frameworks. Biculturalism acknowledges the dynamic nature of cultural identity, emphasizing the ongoing negotiation and harmonization of multiple cultural influences within the framework of an individual or a community.

Biculturalism: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Notable Works	Key Arguments
John W. Berry	Acculturation and Adaptation in a New Society	Berry’s acculturation model explores how individuals navigate and adapt to new cultures, contributing to the understanding of biculturalism and its impact on identity and psychological well-being.
Stuart Hall	Cultural Identity and Diaspora	Hall’s work focuses on cultural identity, arguing that identities are not fixed but are constructed through interactions with different cultural influences, providing insights into the fluidity and complexity of bicultural identity.
Milton Gordon	Assimilation in American Life	Gordon’s assimilation theory contributes to discussions on biculturalism by examining the processes of cultural assimilation and retention, offering perspectives on how individuals maintain elements of their original culture within a new context.
Nina Glick Schiller	Transnationalism: A New Analytic Framework for Understanding Migration	Schiller’s transnationalism theory expands the concept of biculturalism by considering the interconnectedness of individuals across borders, shedding light on how cultural identities evolve in transnational contexts.
Ruth Hill Useem	Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds	Useem’s research on Third Culture Kids (TCKs) explores the experiences of individuals raised in multiple cultures, providing insights into the development of bicultural identities and the challenges associated with navigating between different cultural worlds.

These theorists have significantly contributed to the theoretical understanding of biculturalism, offering diverse perspectives on how individuals engage with and negotiate multiple cultural identities.

Biculturalism: Major Characteristics

1. Dual Cultural Identity: Biculturalism involves the possession of a dual cultural identity, where individuals or communities identify with and actively participate in the practices of two distinct cultures.
2. Simultaneous Engagement: Individuals practicing biculturalism engage simultaneously with the customs, beliefs, and practices of both cultures, actively participating in and integrating diverse cultural elements.
3. Integration of Diverse Cultural Elements: The integration of diverse cultural elements is a key characteristic, encompassing the incorporation of customs, traditions, and values from two separate cultural backgrounds.
4. Navigating and Harmonizing Values: Bicultural individuals navigate and harmonize the values, behaviors, and customs of both cultures, creating a unique and dynamic cultural identity that reflects the richness of multiple cultural influences.
5. Fluid and Evolving Nature: Biculturalism recognizes the fluid and evolving nature of cultural identity, understanding that it is not static but changes over time based on experiences, interactions, and evolving societal contexts.
6. Mutual Enrichment of Cultural Traditions: The concept of biculturalism acknowledges the coexistence and mutual enrichment of different cultural traditions within an individual or a community, fostering a dynamic interplay between diverse cultural influences.
7. Active Participation: Biculturalism involves active participation in both cultures, going beyond mere exposure to encompass a proactive engagement with the customs and practices of each cultural identity.
8. Balancing Cultural Influences: Bicultural individuals often face the challenge of balancing the influences of both cultures, negotiating between conflicting norms and finding a harmonious coexistence between the cultural elements.
9. Cultural Adaptability: Biculturalism reflects a degree of cultural adaptability, where individuals can navigate between different cultural contexts with ease, adjusting their behaviors and communication styles accordingly.
10. Recognition of Cultural Interconnectedness: Biculturalism acknowledges the interconnectedness of cultures, understanding that the practices of one culture can influence and enrich the understanding of another, contributing to a holistic cultural experience.

Biculturalism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Biculturalism in Literature
Postcolonial Criticism	Examines the impact of colonial histories and cultural intersections, making it relevant to literature depicting bicultural experiences arising from colonization and the clash of cultural identities.
Feminist Criticism	Explores how gender and cultural identity intersect, offering insights into the challenges and dynamics faced by bicultural individuals, particularly women, in navigating societal expectations and expressing their unique identities.
Cultural Studies	Focuses on the analysis of cultural phenomena and their representations, providing a lens to explore the nuanced portrayals of biculturalism in literature and its implications for cultural identity and social dynamics.
Identity Theory	Examines how individuals construct and negotiate their identities, making it pertinent to literature depicting bicultural characters and their struggles in forming a cohesive sense of self amid the influences of two distinct cultures.
Postmodernism	Challenges fixed notions of identity and culture, making it relevant to literature that portrays bicultural experiences as fluid, fragmented, and shaped by a multiplicity of cultural influences, aligning with postmodern perspectives on cultural representation.
Transnationalism	Focuses on the interconnectedness of cultures across borders, offering a theoretical framework for analyzing literature that explores biculturalism in transnational contexts, highlighting the fluidity and blending of cultural boundaries.

These literary theories provide diverse perspectives for analyzing the relevance of biculturalism in literature, offering insights into the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities within the context of diverse theoretical frameworks.

Biculturalism: Application in Critiques

1. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri:

• Analysis: Lahiri’s novel explores the bicultural identity of Gogol Ganguli, born to Indian parents in the United States. The critique delves into Gogol’s struggles with his dual identity, examining how he navigates between Indian and American cultures and the impact on his sense of self.

2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:

• Analysis: Adichie’s novel follows Ifemelu, a Nigerian woman navigating life in the United States. The critique examines how Ifemelu’s bicultural experience shapes her perceptions of race, identity, and belonging, offering insights into the complexities of adapting to a new cultural context.

3. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan:

• Analysis: Tan’s novel explores the bicultural experiences of Chinese-American women and their relationships with their immigrant mothers. The critique delves into how the characters negotiate their dual identities, balancing traditional Chinese values with the expectations of American society.

4. Brick Lane by Monica Ali:

• Analysis: Ali’s novel follows Nazneen, a Bangladeshi woman living in London. The critique examines Nazneen’s bicultural journey, exploring how she navigates the clash between her traditional upbringing and the challenges presented by her new life in a culturally diverse city.

These critiques analyze how biculturalism is portrayed in literature, focusing on characters’ experiences, challenges, and personal growth as they navigate the complexities of living between two distinct cultural worlds.

Biculturalism: Relevant Terms

1. Cultural Adaptation: Adjustment to a new culture, integral to biculturalism.
2. Hybrid Identity: Blended identity reflecting both cultures.
3. Cultural Syncretism: Merging of cultural elements in biculturalism.
4. Code-Switching: Alternating languages or behaviors, common in bicultural individuals.
5. Acculturation: Adoption of aspects from another culture, central to bicultural dynamics.
6. Intercultural Competence: Effective navigation across different cultures, crucial for biculturalism.
7. Bilingualism/Biculturalism Model: Emphasizes advantages of being bilingual and bicultural.
8. Cultural Duality: Existence in two cultural worlds simultaneously in bicultural individuals.
9. Cultural Hybridity: Coexistence and blending of different cultural elements.
10. Identity Negotiation: Ongoing process of reconciling aspects of cultural identity in bicultural experiences.

Biculturalism: Suggested Readings

1. Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 2012.
2. Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
3. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Americanah. Knopf, 2013.
4. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. Penguin Books, 2006.
5. Ali, Monica. Brick Lane. Scribner, 2004.
6. Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
7. Hall, Stuart. Cultural Identity and Diaspora. Routledge, 1993.
8. Berry, John W. Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition: Acculturation, Identity, and Adaptation Across National Contexts. Psychology Press, 2006.
9. Glick Schiller, Nina, et al. Towards a Transnational Perspective on Migration: Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Nationalism Reconsidered. New York Academy of Sciences, 1992.
10. Phinney, Jean S. Ethnic Identity in Adolescents and Adults: A Review of Research. Psychological Bulletin, vol. 108, no. 3, 1990, pp. 499-514.