decontextualization
/diːˌkɒntɛkstʃuəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The act of taking cultural expressions or knowledge out of their original, meaningful setting, which often leads to misrepresentation or the loss of their authentic cultural significance.
Etymology
The word is formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning removal), the noun 'context', and the suffix '-ization' (the process of making). It emerged in modern English as a derivative of 'decontextualize' to describe the scholarly and sociological act of removing something from its surrounding circumstances.
In the news
The article warns that major technology firms may culturally appropriate material from Indigenous or marginalized communities, resulting in decontextualization that strips these expressions of their original meaning and intent.
UNESCO’s A.I. Report Considers How Technology Can Serve Culture
Read the full article ↗observer.com