Meaning & use
Orientalism
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Meanings
noununcountable
The study or representation of Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African cultures by Western scholars, often criticized for biased or exotic portrayals.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun, so it does not take a plural form and is not used with 'a' or 'an'.
Patterns
- study of orientalism
- critique of orientalism
- orientalism in literature
Her research focuses on orientalism in 19th-century European painting.
The professor argued that orientalism shaped Western views of the Middle East for centuries.
The book offers a sharp critique of orientalism in colonial travel writing.
noununcountabletechnical
A style or trait in art, literature, or design that imitates or draws on Eastern motifs and themes.
Grammar: Also uncountable; refers to a general style rather than a single work.
Patterns
- orientalism in art
- orientalism in architecture
- a touch of orientalism
The palace is famous for its orientalism, with domes and arabesque patterns.
The fashion show was criticized for its orientalism, mixing Asian elements without context.
His early work shows a clear orientalism inspired by Japanese prints.
noununcountableold-fashioned
The academic field of studying the languages, history, and cultures of the Orient (now often called Asian or Middle Eastern studies).
Grammar: This sense is older and less common today; it refers to a scholarly discipline.
Patterns
- professor of orientalism
- department of orientalism
- orientalism scholar
He held a chair in orientalism at the university in the early 20th century.
The library has a large collection on orientalism and related fields.
Her training in orientalism gave her deep knowledge of ancient Persian texts.
Common combinations
- critique of orientalism
- Edward Said's book is a famous critique of orientalism.
- orientalism in literature
- The course examines orientalism in literature from the Romantic period.
- academic orientalism
- Academic orientalism has been challenged for its colonial assumptions.
- orientalism and colonialism
- The exhibition explores the link between orientalism and colonialism.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exoticism
- Exoticism emphasizes the quality of being strange or excitingly different, while orientalism often implies a Western perspective on Eastern cultures.
- oriental studies
- This is the older name for the academic field; orientalism can also refer to the critical concept, so they are not always interchangeable.
Word family
- Orientalist noun
- A scholar or artist who specializes in or represents Eastern cultures.
- Oriental adjective
- Relating to the East; now often considered outdated or offensive when referring to people.
Commonly confused: Orientalism or Occidentalism?
Orientalism vs Occidentalism
Occidentalism is the study or representation of Western cultures, often by non-Western scholars, while orientalism focuses on the East.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'orientalism' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 correctly uses 'orientalism' to mean the Western study or representation of the Middle East. Option 0 is wrong because orientalism refers to Western representations, not the artifacts themselves. Option 2 misuses it as a personal feeling. Option 3 misuses it as a quality of a building when it should refer to a style or field of study.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Orientalism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.