What does acculturative mean?
Acculturative is an adjective describing things connected with acculturation, the process by which individuals or groups adopt cultural traits from another group. It is most often used in academic and professional writing about immigration, identity, education, and cultural change. The word can refer to a process, as in “acculturative adaptation,” or to conditions, experiences, pressures, and goals associated with that process. Its use often reflects the idea of cultural interaction producing learning and adjustment, although acculturation can also involve power differences, unequal adaptation, or tension. In everyday discussion, “acculturative” may sound formal or uncommon, so writers often use “acculturation” for the general process and “acculturated” to describe a person or group that has adapted to a new cultural setting.
adjectiveRelating to or promoting acculturation, the process through which individuals or groups adopt cultural traits of another group.
- Relating to or promoting the process of acculturation, especially the adoption of the cultural traits of another group.
"The researchers examined the acculturative experiences of immigrant communities in the city."
"Schools often consider language support part of the broader acculturative process faced by immigrant students."
"The study focused on the acculturative pressures experienced by second-generation members of the community."
Acculturative names the meeting point where cultural contact becomes cultural learning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does acculturative come from?
The word belongs to the English family based on acculturation, a borrowing from French ultimately connected with Latin acculturāre, formed from ad- and cultūra, relating to cultivation or culture. In English, the adjective acculturative was developed from acculturation with the suffix -ative, which forms adjectives associated with a process or tendency. It is related to acculturate and acculturated.
How acculturative is actually used
Chiefly formal and specialized, especially in anthropology, sociology, education, and related fields. It is less common in everyday speech than “acculturation” or “acculturated.”
Easily confused with acculturative
“Acculturative” describes something connected with or promoting the process of acculturation, whereas “acculturated” describes someone or something that has already undergone that process.