The use of technology, involvement in international sports, and the English language are a few instances of cultural fusion. When different cultures are exposed to one another’s customs, ideals, and languages, they converge culturally.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that cultural convergence does not refer to a work of media like Star Wars or Avatar: The Last Airbender that combines several cultures to create an aesthetic vision. Cultural convergence is a gradual movement that happens naturally.
English, the language you’re reading this in, is an illustration of cultural fusion. The United States acted as the hub of global trade for many years. To compete in English’s market, everyone in the world acquired the language. Americans have travelled abroad to instruct English. Language spread and cultural traditions exchanged, which resulted in convergence. People are still learning Mandarin today for the same reasons.
Below are five additional instances of cultural confluence in case you need more inspiration.
Five instances of cultural fusion:
The Olympics and the World Cup are two instances of international sporting events that blend cultures. Various cultures and societies have embraced sports. Due to cultural fusion, a soccer ball is one of the most identifiable objects in the world.
Another illustration of how cultures are convergent is technology. Even though it doesn’t sound like it initially came from that language, a product name or technological function frequently becomes the word in that language. The words “e-mail,” “computer,” and “Apple” are used in many other languages. Humans can communicate with one another in a variety of ways online. New languages can sometimes emerge (lol!).
The Fall of the Soviet Union is a prime example of cultural fusion. Around the world, governments shifted very immediately. Many former Soviet Union nations now practise democracy, a custom that dates back to the Greeks.
Anime is a prime example of cultural fusion in pop culture. Early anime and manga customers were branded as “strange” in a way since they were initially marketed as being exclusively Japanese. Animation is more successful than ever today. There are two well-known streaming services that are solely focused on anime, and there is more anime being made than ever (Crunchyroll and Funimation). Popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu and devoted anime libraries and have even developed original content themselves.
Colleges and many other higher education institutions are excellent examples of how cultures may converge. People from various states and nations assemble with the goal of learning. There are many different ways that people engage with education, yet at many institutions, students learn more from one another than they do from some classes.
What is a convergence of cultures? In the end, it’s an acceptance of another culture or a request for someone to appreciate your own culture more deeply. This is best exemplified by the “melting pot” metaphor used to describe the United States. As the world gets more and more accessible, it’s critical to educate oneself and maintain an open mind. You never know what customs from another culture you might adopt.
