What does biculturalism mean?
Biculturalism describes the condition of being shaped by two distinct cultural traditions. A bicultural person might speak two languages, observe the customs of two communities, or divide family life between cultures associated with different countries or communities. The term is especially common in education, psychology, sociology, and discussions of identity, migration, and family life. It can describe a personal experience, such as a bicultural upbringing, or a broader cultural condition involving sustained interaction between two traditions. Unlike multiculturalism, which usually emphasizes the coexistence of many cultural groups within a society, biculturalism specifically foregrounds the meeting of two cultures in an individual or community. The word is also used in more specialized discussions of cultural identity formation, where it may be associated with greater linguistic awareness, adaptability, and insight into different social customs. Biculturalism does not necessarily imply equal participation in both cultures or a complete rejection of either one.
nounThe state or condition of having a cultural identity shaped by two distinct cultural traditions. It may describe an individual's experience, family life, education, or the interaction of two cultures within a society.
- The condition of being shaped by, and identifying with, two distinct cultural traditions.
"Her bicultural upbringing gave her a nuanced understanding of both her family's traditions and the culture of the country where she grew up."
"Growing up between two languages and two sets of customs gave him a strong sense of biculturalism."
"The course examines how biculturalism affects identity, family relationships, and education."
The plural is uncommon and is used when referring to distinct forms, experiences, or models of biculturalism.
"The study compares different biculturalisms formed through migration, marriage, and education."
Two cultures, one identity: biculturalism names the experience of carrying both traditions without treating either as merely foreign.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does biculturalism come from?
The word is an English compound formed from bi-, from Latin bis, meaning twice, and cultural, from Latin cultura, associated with cultivation. The suffix -ism is ultimately borrowed from Greek -ismos and is widely used to form nouns denoting conditions, practices, or systems. Biculturalism therefore means the condition or practice of being bicultural, while words such as biculture, multicultural, and intercultural share one or both of its elements.
How biculturalism is actually used
Biculturalism is most common in academic, educational, and social-science contexts, though it is also used in general discussion. It is generally neutral and is often used in a positive sense when discussing cultural fluency, adaptability, or a bicultural identity.
Easily confused with biculturalism
Biculturalism usually focuses on an individual or community shaped by two cultural traditions, whereas multiculturalism more often denotes a society in which several cultural groups coexist.