Contact Zone

Mary Louise Pratt wrote A Contact Zone, a short story about how many different cultures interact through Transculturation and contact zones. A contact zone is defined as “is the gap in which transculturation takes place- where two different cultures meet and inform each other, in uneven ways” (mariexotoni). In my owns words, a contact zone can be where two different people from different backgrounds, teachings, and traditions come together and share their experiences. Contact zones can be seen in every social situation, every social gathering, and every major culture event. However, some people will feel like the “other” in these situations. I have felt like the “other” in social situations and in sports. Feeling like the “other” doesn’t sound like a good thing because you learn from others mistakes and make great friends that will always be there. It doesn’t feel good to be the “other” but its easy to learn from others mistakes from watching instead of partaking in the activities. Culture is a big part in an “other’s” life. Culture is defined as “acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills” (Webster's). Everyone is from a different culture. In these cultures are different teachings that one could learn or that could be taught to maybe see a different way of life or thinking. Culture is important becasue we need to “understand the groups to which one belongs it is important to recognize the various cultures or habits and traditions within each group” (Ask). Transculturation has been happening all throughout history. Transculturation “refers to the encounter between or among cultures in which each one acquires or adapts elements of the others or in which new cultural elements are created” (Bustedhalo). In my own words, transculturation is how people get to know one another through interaction. A college could be an example of transculturation. With many