PoliticsAugust 27, 2026

deprovincialisation

dee-pruh-vin-shuh-luh-ZAY-shun

Definition

The act of ending the dominance of local, narrow, or colonial-imposed Western viewpoints in academic and intellectual life to allow for broader, more globally or locally inclusive perspectives.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'de-' (reversal or removal) and 'provincial' (relating to a province or limited in outlook), it refers to overcoming a narrow, peripheral perspective to achieve a more central or universal standing.

In the news

The article uses this term to describe a necessary step for African universities, arguing they must move beyond Western-centric thinking to produce knowledge that truly addresses local needs.

Repositioning Heroes’ Day: A decolonial call for economic justice and equity

Read the full article ↗

Windhoek Observer

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.