Acculturation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /É™.ËŒkÊŒl.tʃə.ˈreɪ.sÉ™n/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

• First attested in 1880.
• ad- ("toward") + culture + -ation("a process")

Full definition of acculturation

Noun

1. A process by which the culture of an isolated society changes on contact with a different one.
2. A process by which a person acquires the culture of the society that he/she inhabits, starting at birth.

Usage notes

Some social scientists reverse the meanings of enculturation and acculturation. Primary socialization is sometimes called enculturation, while secondary socialization is sometimes called acculturation.