Occidentalist is a noun that describes someone who specializes in the study of Western civilization and culture. The word is spelled "oh-kuh-den-tuh-list" using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "oh" represents the long "o" sound, followed by "kuh" for the short "u" sound. The "den" is pronounced as "dehn" with a short "e" sound, followed by "tuh" for the short "u" sound. The final syllable "list" is pronounced with a long "i" sound as "list."
Occidentalist refers to a person who adheres to or expresses ideas, beliefs, or perspectives that are characteristic of the Occident or the Western world. The term Occident traditionally refers to the western part of the world, specifically Europe and the Americas, as opposed to the Orient, which refers to Asia and Eastern cultures. An Occidentalist often holds a favorable or romanticized view of Western civilization, culture, and values.
Occidentalist views often emphasize the achievements, advancements, and contributions made by the Western world and its history. They may highlight the Western philosophical, artistic, scientific, or political traditions as superior or more progressive compared to other cultures. This perspective can also be seen in discussions related to imperialism or colonialism, where Occidentalists may believe that Western countries brought "civilization" to other parts of the world.
However, it is important to note that the term can have both positive and negative connotations. Positively, an Occidentalist may appreciate the Western values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. Negatively, it can also be associated with Eurocentrism, cultural bias, or even racism, as it may dismiss or disregard other cultures and their contributions.
Ultimately, an Occidentalist is an individual who holds a strong affinity towards Western civilization and its values, often elevating them as benchmarks of progress, influence, and achievement.
The word "occidentalist" is derived from the Latin word "occidens", which means "the west" or "the setting sun". It is a combination of the prefix "occi-" derived from "ob" meaning "toward" and the present participle form "dent-" derived from "cadere" meaning "to fall". The suffix "-alist" indicates a person who practices or advocates a particular belief or ideology. Therefore, an "occidentalist" is someone who follows or adheres to a belief or perspective focused on the Western world, Western cultures, or Western values.