What term describes the process of adapting to a new culture while retaining elements of one's original culture?

The process of adapting to a new culture while retaining elements of one's original culture is known as acculturation. This term encapsulates the complex interactions that occur when individuals or groups come into contact with a different culture. During acculturation, people typically adopt certain cultural aspects of the dominant culture, such as language or customs, while still maintaining significant aspects of their original cultural identity, such as traditions, beliefs, and practices.

This nuanced exchange reflects how cultural adaptability does not require complete surrender of one's heritage, allowing for a blending of cultures. In contrast, assimilation involves the process where individuals or groups completely merge into the dominant culture, often leading to the loss of original cultural traits. Integration implies a more harmonious coexistence and mutual adjustment between cultures but does not specifically highlight the retention of original cultural identifiers. Coalescence refers more to the merging of cultural practices rather than the preservation and adaptation of distinct elements from multiple cultures. Hence, acculturation is the precise term that encapsulates the retention of original culture while adapting to a new one.