acculturation

Definition

The anthropological term for when cultures collide and one (usually the smaller or newer one) starts adopting the customs, values, and Starbucks preferences of the other. It's the process immigrants and minority groups experience when adapting to a dominant culture, or what happens when your startup gets absorbed by a corporate giant. Think cultural osmosis, but with power dynamics.

Example Usage

The acculturation process for international employees included language classes, cultural orientation, and learning to pretend coffee talk about weather is fascinating.

Source: Anthropological and sociological terminology

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