OAA1: WS 2006/2007
handout 6
Looking for a “quick overview”: Dictionaries
and Encyclopaedias in Anthropology
NSOD
enculturation /In%kVltjU"reIS(@)n, En-/ n.
M20.
[f. EN-1 + CULTURE n. + -ATION.]
The process by which the values and norms of a society are passed on
to or acquired by its members.
Source: New Shorter English Dictionary.
The Dictionary of Anthropology
Enculturation is the process by which an individual acquires the mental
representations (beliefs, knowledge, and so forth) and patterns of behavior required
to function as a member of a culture. It can be seen as the counterpart, at the level of
culture, of the process of SOCIALIZATION. Enculturation is largely seen, for native
members of a culture, as taking place in childhood as part of the process of CHILD
training and education. Initiation rites and other forms of training later in life can also
be seen to have enculturating function.
Source: Barfield, T. J. 1997. Dictionary of anthropology. Oxford: Blackwell, 149 – 150, available also
at http://books.google.com/.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Enculturation is the process whereby an established culture teaches an individual by
repetition its accepted norms and values, so that the individual can become an accepted
member of the society and find their suitable role. Most importantly, it establishes a context
of boundaries and correctness that dictates what is and is not permissible within that
society's framework.
It is the process of learning that takes the person and teaches him or her the ways of life of
their people or country. It is a life-long process, affecting not only the child, but the adult too.
Enculturation is learned through communication in the form of speech, words, and gestures.
The six things of culture that are learned are: technological, economic, political, interactive,
ideological and world view.
Conrad Phillip Kottak (in Window on Humanity ) wrote:
Enculturation is the process where the culture that is currently established teaches an
individual the accepted norms and values of the culture or society in which the individual
lives. The individual can become an accepted member and fulfill the needed functions and
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OAA1: WS 2006/2007
OAA1: WS 2006/2007
handout 6
handout 6
roles of the group. Most importantly the individual knows and establishes a context of
boundaries and accepted behavior that dictates what is acceptable and not acceptable within
the framework of that society. It teaches the individual their role within society as well as
what is accepted behavior within that society and lifestyle.
Enculturation can be conscious or unconscious. There are three ways a person learns a
culture. Direct teaching of a culture is done, this is what happens when you dont pay
attention, mostly by the parents, when a person is told to do something because it is right
and to not do something because it is bad. For example, when children ask for something,
they are constantly asked "What do you say?" and the child is expected to remember to say
"please." The second conscious way a person learns a culture is to watch others around
them and to emulate their behavior. An example would be using different slang with different
cliques in school. Enculturation also happens unconsciously, through events and behaviors
that prevail in their culture. All three kinds of culturation happen simultaneously and all the
time.
Enculturation helps mold a person into an acceptable member of society. Culture influences
everything that a person does, whether they are aware of it or not. Enculturation is a life-long
process that helps unify people. Even as a culture changes, core beliefs, values, worldviews,
and child-rearing practices stay the same. How many times has a parent said "If all your
friends jumped off a bridge, would you?" when their child wanted to fit in with the crowd?
Both are playing roles in the enculturation. The child wants to be included in the subculture of
their peers, and the parent wants to instill individualism in the child, through direct teaching.
Not only does one become encultured, but also makes someone else encultured.
fig. 1
fig. 2
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enculturation
VOCABULARY BOX
acceptable
accepted norms and
values
acquires
cliques
counterpart
emulate behavior
establish a context
framework
initiation rites
instill sth in
life-long process
mental representations
mold a person into
patterns of behavior
peers
permissible
prevail
simultaneously
(un)conscious
whereby
worldview
You may find it useful to consult Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary online <http://dictionary.cambridge.org/> and/or
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary online <http://www.oup.com/elt/catalogue/teachersites/oald7/?cc=cz>
EXERCISES
n Look at the three definitions of the term “enculturation”. How do they differ?
o.Which definition do you find the most useful? Why?
fig. 3
p Look up the following terms in the Dictionary of anthropology on the web: adaptation, agriculture
1.
2.
3.
4.
Open the Google book search window at http://books.google.com/
Type in Dictionary of anthropology (fig. 1).
Choose the first book which appears (fig. 2)
Type in the appropriate terms in the small search box on the right (fig. 3)
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