Asimilacja

Asimilacja, in Polish, refers to the process of becoming more like something else or being integrated into a larger system. The term is used in several fields to describe different kinds of incorporation, including cultural, linguistic, and biological contexts.

In sociology and cultural studies, cultural assimilation describes how individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits of another group, typically the dominant or host society. This can involve language, norms, values, institutions, and everyday practices. Assimilation can occur gradually and voluntarily or as a result of coercive policies or structural pressures. Researchers examine indicators such as language proficiency, intermarriage, residential patterns, and participation in institutions. The concept is debated, with alternatives like acculturation and integration emphasizing different combinations of adaptation, retention of origin group identity, and social inclusion within plural societies.

In linguistics, assimilation refers to phonological processes where sounds influence neighboring sounds, making them more similar in articulation or features. This can be regressive or progressive and affects pronunciation patterns within a language or across dialects. Examples include changes in place of articulation or voicing to match surrounding consonants or vowels.

In biology, assimilation denotes the incorporation of nutrients into an organism’s tissues and molecules. In animals and humans, digestion releases nutrients that are absorbed and subsequently used for growth, energy, and maintenance, while dissimilation refers to energy release and waste. In plants, assimilation also covers the synthesis of organic compounds from inorganic sources, such as carbon fixation during photosynthesis.

Overall, asimilacja describes how systems absorb and integrate external elements, whether cultural traits, sounds, or nutrients, shaping structure and function across disciplines.