How have the three cultural processes (Assimilation, Enculturation and Acculturation)

played a role in the formation of today’s pluralistic society of Malaysia?

1. Assimilation
 whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the
dominant culture of a society. The process of assimilating involves taking on the traits
of the dominant culture.
 Example: This example can clearly be seen in Malaysia where the existence of
Peranakan or Baba Nyonya is the clear example of it. The ancestors who were originally
Chinese assimilated into the Malay cultures due to interracial marriage that can be seen
through their dresses which the women wear baju kebaya. They even have similarity
with Malay foods such as the asam pedas ikan and they are also fluent in Malay and in
their own mother tongue to maintain their background.
 The assimilation process helps them to adapt with the surrounding that they live in order
to blend well with the society to ensure they live harmoniously.
2. Enculturation
 Enculturation is the process by which people learn the requirements of their
surrounding culture and acquire values and behaviours appropriate or necessary in that
culture.
 Enculturation usually starts at a very young age as it is taught by parents and also peers.
Like how, in Malay, it is almost a must to kind of crook yourself when you walk in
front of someone elders as a sign of respect. We do this because your parents tell you
to do so or you see your peers doing it too which because your culture tell you to do so.
By doing this, we are encultured to that culture and become a part of it by knowing the
norms and values, the to do-s and not to do-
3. Acculturation
 Cultural modification of an individual, group or people by adapting @ borrowing traits
from another culture
 Example: Being in a country with diverse cultures, we have many groups of people
speaking in many languages but with the existence of acculturation, it helps Malaysians
to communicate easily by giving and take such as the Indians and Chinese learn Malay
other than it’s the national language, it also helps to converse easily but they still
maintain their own mother tongues.
 Other example would be how it is a norm to see other races wear baju kurung especially
teachers at the SMK. Even though it is the cultures of the Malay, due to the
acculturation, we kind of share the same culture with everyone.
 How it plays a role in the formation of today’s pluralistic society of Malaysia? By
acculturating, it helps Malaysian to become more diverse and become more
understanding of the differences and appreciate the beauty in the dissimilarity.