multiculturalism
mul-tee-KUL-chur-ul-iz-um
/ˌmʌltiˈkʌltʃərəˌlɪzəm/
The presence of, or support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society.
Unlike assimilation, multiculturalism celebrates the 'salad bowl' where each ingredient stays distinct.
The story behind the word. A 20th-century coinage. It combines the Latin 'multus' (many) with 'cultura'. It gained popularity in the 1970s in Canada and Australia as a formal government policy.
Word relationships
- pluralism: A political system where two or more states, groups, or principles coexist.
- diversity: A broader term that can include age, gender, and ability, not just culture.
- monoculturalism: The practice of actively preserving a single national culture to the exclusion of others.
- isolationism: A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups.
Commonly confused with
- diverse: Diverse is an adjective describing variety; multiculturalism is the noun for the social philosophy of supporting that variety.
Word family
- multicultural (adjective): Relating to or constituting several cultural or ethnic groups.
- multiculturalist (noun): A person who supports multiculturalism.
Collocations
- policy of multiculturalism
- embrace multiculturalism
- critics of multiculturalism
Example sentences
- "Multiculturalism is the recognition of our shared humanity and the celebration of our differences." A politician discusses the benefits of a diverse society.
- "Toronto is often cited as a model of multiculturalism, where over 140 languages are spoken." Describing the atmosphere of a global city like Toronto.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Multi-colored' 'culture'—many colors in one picture. The 'salad bowl' of society.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a single person's background; use 'multicultural' as an adjective for that.
Fun facts
- The term was first used in a 1941 book review in the New York Herald Tribune, but didn't become common until the 1970s.
Explore more words
multicultural, pluralism, assimilation, assimilate, coexistence, cosmopolitan
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