What does cultural assimilation involve?

Cultural assimilation involves the adoption of traits from one culture by individuals from another, which reflects how different cultures can influence each other and the process through which individuals or groups from one culture begin to adopt the customs, beliefs, or practices of another culture.

This phenomenon often occurs when individuals from minority cultures integrate into a dominant culture, leading to changes in their language, social practices, and other cultural aspects. As a result, these individuals may adopt clothing styles, food practices, or social norms characteristic of the dominant culture, which can ultimately lead to a blending of cultural traits.

In contrast, preservation of cultural heritage refers to efforts made to maintain and protect a culture's traditions and values, resistances to cultural change indicate a refusal to adapt to outside influences, while the creation of cultural enclaves focuses on groups residing in specific geographic areas to maintain their distinct cultural identity. These concepts highlight different responses to cultural diversity, but they do not denote the process of cultural assimilation itself.