colonialism
colonialism
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "colonialism" with a breakdown of sounds by syllable:
co-lo-ni-al-ism (kuh-LOH-nee-uhl-iz-um)
co /kə/ - Unreleased velar plosive (similar to the "k" sound but without releasing the closure)
lo /ˈloʊ/ - Low back rounded diphthong (combination of "ah" and "oo" sounds)
ni /ni/ - Close front unrounded vowel sound (like "ee" in "seen")
al /əl/ - Alveolar central vowel (a short, neutral "uh" sound)
ism /ɪzəm/ - Schwa (short central vowel sound "uh") followed by voiced alveolar fricative ("z" sound) and syllabic nasal ("m")
Word Form Variations
The term "colonialism" has the following word form variations:
Singular: colonialism (This is the base form you'd typically use)
Plural: colonialisms (This is used less frequently, but grammatically correct for referring to multiple instances of colonialism)
Adjective: colonial (This describes something related to colonialism, like "colonial era" or "colonial architecture")
Noun (Agent): colonialist (This refers to a person who advocates for or participates in colonialism)
Adjective (Derived from Noun): colonialistic (This describes something that has characteristics of colonialism)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Colonialism: (kuh-LOH-nee-uhl-iz-um)
Definition: The practice of a powerful country or nation taking political, economic, and social control over a weaker territory with the aim of exploiting its resources and people.
Synonyms: Imperialism, subjugation, domination, exploitation
Antonyms: Decolonization, self-determination, liberation
Adjective:
Colonial: (kuh-LOH-nee-uhl)
Definition: Relating to or characteristic of colonialism.
Synonyms: Imperial, exploitative, controlling, subjugating
Antonyms: Indigenous, independent, self-governing
Noun (Agent):
Colonialist: (kuh-LOH-nee-uhl-ist)
Definition: A person who advocates for or actively participates in colonialism.
Synonyms: Imperialist, exploiter, subjugator
Antonyms: Decolonizer, liberationist
Adjective (Derived from Noun):
Colonialistic: (kuh-LOH-nee-uhl-IS-tik)
Definition: Having characteristics or practices resembling colonialism, especially in the unfair treatment of a weaker nation or group.
Synonyms: Imperialistic, exploitative, controlling, paternalistic
Antonyms: Decolonizing, liberatory, self-determining
Please note:
There is no verb form of "colonialism" in common usage.
The adverb form ("colonially") is not very common, but it could be formed following the same pattern as the adjective ("colonialistic").
Examples of Use
Literature:
Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" (1958) explores the devastating impact of British colonialism on a traditional Igbo village in Nigeria. (This is a classic example that critiques colonialism from the perspective of the colonised)
Newspapers:
A headline in The New York Times (2023) might read: "France Faces Calls to Address Legacy of Colonialism in Africa" (Newspapers often use the term when discussing historical events or the ongoing effects of colonialism)
Online Publications:
An online article on Al Jazeera (2024) could be titled: "The Fight for Resources: How Colonialism Continues to Shape the Middle East" (Online publications often use the term in analytical pieces discussing the historical and contemporary consequences of colonialism)
Entertainment Mediums:
A historical drama series might depict the brutality of colonial rule in India (This is a common theme in historical fiction that explores the human cost of colonialism)
Public Discourse:
An activist protesting resource extraction by a foreign company might speak out against neocolonial practices (The term "neocolonialism" describes the indirect control of a country by another through economic or political influence, often seen as a continuation of colonialism by other means)
General Conversation:
Two people discussing a current event might say something like: "The conflict in that region has roots in the way the borders were drawn during the era of colonialism" (The term is used in everyday discussions to understand the historical context of current events)
These are just a few examples, and the use of "colonialism" can vary depending on the context.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Colonialism
Here are 10 famous quotes using the word "colonialism" (avoiding quotes promoting colonialism):
"Colonialism is not a thing of the past. The struggle for political and economic independence must continue." - Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanaian revolutionary and first president
"The evils of colonialism are not to be tolerated; and there can be no justification whatever for a system which reduces one people to the position of a means for the enrichment of another." - Jomo Kenyatta, Kenyan anti-colonial leader and first Prime Minister
"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." - Martin Luther King Jr.: This quote, though not directly mentioning colonialism, reflects the concept of how colonialism shaped the world we live in today
"The coloniser and the colonised are engaged in a fight to the death. One or the other will win, and win completely." - Frantz Fanon, Martinique psychiatrist, philosopher, revolutionary, and writer (source: "[The Wretched of the Earth]"
"A country that has been colonised is not tabula rasa on the day of independence. Everything that has been done constitutes a burden, positive or negative." - Aime Cesaire, Martinique poet, playwright, and politician (source: "Discourse on Colonialism")
"Colonialism is not a policy; it is a disease." - Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegalese poet, politician, and first president
"The coloniser and the colonised recreate each other." - Albert Memmi, Tunisian Jewish intellectual and writer (source: "The Colonizer and the Colonized”)
"Colonialism is a system of exploitation. It takes a country which is self-sufficient, turns it into a raw material supplier, and makes it dependent on the manufactured products of the colonial power." - Julius Nyerere, Tanzanian anti-colonial revolutionary, political leader, and socialist
"The scars of colonialism run deep. They are etched in our economies, our societies, and our very psyches." - Wangari Maathai, Kenyan environmental and political activist
"The history of colonialism is a history of violence and robbery. It is a history of the exploitation of people and the plunder of resources." - Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist
Etymology
The word "colonialism" is like a family tree with roots in the Latin word "colonus." "Colonus" didn't describe powerful empires conquering lands, though. It meant tenant farmers in ancient Rome! These farmers rented land from wealthy landowners and often got stuck working there for life.
Over time, the meaning of "colonus" broadened. It came to refer to any group of people who settled in a new place, even if they weren't farmers. The English word "colonialism" first popped up in writing around the late 1700s. Back then, it was mainly used to describe situations where people moved to a new land and still felt connected to their original country.
However, as European empires gobbled up land around the world, the meaning of "colonialism" shifted. It became the go-to word for the powerful countries controlling weaker territories and exploiting their resources. So, while the word's origin is about settling new lands, it morphed into describing domination and unfair control.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Colonialism
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "colonialism," here are some phrases that incorporate the word and related concepts:
Legacy of colonialism: This refers to the long-lasting social, political, and economic effects of colonialism that are still felt today in formerly colonised countries.
Neocolonialism: This describes the indirect control of a country by another through economic or political influence, often seen as a continuation of colonialism by other means.
Throw off the shackles of colonialism: This is a metaphorical phrase that means to break free from the control and limitations imposed by colonialism.
A colonial mentality: This refers to an attitude of dependence or submissiveness that can linger in formerly colonised countries, even after independence.
The colonial project: This is a broader term used by scholars to refer to the entire system of colonialism, including its political, economic, and cultural aspects.
Posts Related to Colonialism
Source Information
Definition of colonialism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
