Deorientalize

/ˌdiːɔːriˈɛntəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To remove Oriental or Eastern characteristics, qualities, or influences from something, making it more Western or non-Eastern.

Etymology

From de- (remove) + orientalize (from Orient, the East). This academic term emerged in postcolonial studies to discuss the reverse of Orientalism, Edward Said's famous concept of how the West portrayed the East.

Kelly Says

Deorientalize is a word born from postcolonial criticism—it describes what happens when colonizers deliberately try to 'Westernize' conquered territories by stripping away indigenous Eastern traditions and replacing them with Western ones.

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