forbidden words: culturally appropriate

culturally adv.: 1 in a way that relates to the habits, traditions, and beliefs of a society:

• a culturally diverse society
• Our community clinic services are culturally sensitive.

2 in a way that relates to music, art, theater, literature, etc.:

• He believed London was no longer the world’s most culturally exciting city.
• Culturally vibrant, Leipzig defines itself as a “city of music.”

from – culturally. (2025).

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appropriate adj. 1 A long dress is appropriate for a formal wedding: suitable, proper, well-suited, congruous, fitting, befitting, correct, seemly, apt, apropos, well-chosen; characteristic, belonging, pertinent, relevant, germane, to the purpose, to the point, opportune. —v. 2 The city will appropriate money for two new schools: allocate, set apart, allot, apportion, assign, earmark. 3 The county should appropriate land for a new highway: take possession of, take, confiscate, expropriate. 
Ant. 1 inappropriate, improper, ill-suited, unsuitable, unsuited, unfitting, incongruous, unbefitting, unseemly, incorrect, wrong, inconsonant, incompatible; uncharacteristic, out of place, inopportune, irrelevant. 2  withhold. 3 give, bestow, donate; relinquish, cede, dispose of.
◊ Word origin: What is appropriate is proper to one’s own self. The word is ultimately derived from Latin propius,one’sown, which is also the basis of our words proper and property. 

from – Family Word Finder: Reader’s Digest. The Reader’s Digest Association, 1975.

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Culturally appropriate understanding and respecting the values, beliefs, and practices of a particular culture when interacting with people from that culture. It involves being sensitive to the nuances of communication, behavior, and customs, and tailoring your interactions accordingly. In essence, it’s about being mindful of cultural differences and acting in a way that is respectful and considerate. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Understanding cultural differences:
  “Culturally appropriate” requires acknowledging that different cultures have varying norms, values, and beliefs about communication, social interaction, and other aspects of life. 
• Respect and sensitivity:
  It involves treating individuals from different cultures with respect and avoiding actions or language that could be perceived as disrespectful or offensive. 
• Adaptability:
  Culturally appropriate behavior also means being adaptable and willing to modify your own communication and behavior to better align with the cultural norms of the group you are interacting with. 
• Avoiding stereotypes:
  It’s crucial to avoid making generalizations or assumptions about individuals based on their cultural background, as this can lead to misunderstandings and disrespect. 
• Example:
  In some cultures, direct eye contact is considered respectful, while in others, it might be seen as aggressive. A culturally appropriate interaction would involve being aware of these differences and adapting your behavior accordingly. 

from — Google Search. (n.d.).

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note: I have been focusing on definitions for forbidden words and phrases in dictionaries. I have two from the late 1960s and 1970s that I use because: 1. I own them; 2. I’m curious to see how language has evolved over my own lifetime; and, 3. I’m assuming many people working with Trump would also be most familiar with language from the mid-twentieth century.

My initial search begins with analogue dictionaries, ie., actual hand held books. If there is no definition in the books I currently own, or a definition needs further exploration, I turn to the internet.

When I look for definitions online, I try to find a source that is either from an online dictionary, or from an academic site. I found the most comprehensive definition of culturally appropriate in one place through google’s definition. I try to avoid the google definition generally, but after much searching, settled on google.

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example sentences: culturally appropriate

Antiracist policies should be the norm, more funding and resources should be targeted to marginalised communities, and culturally appropriate and inclusive coaching should be standard practice.
Times,Sunday Times

Most cultural humility rhetoric focuses on interpersonal, individual micro practice social work in terms of worker/client relationships and culturally appropriate intervention procedures.
Wikipedia

Oftentimes, while utilizing this health care system, they continue to use their own culturally appropriate health care practices…
Wikipedia

This facilitates better control and transformation of these energies into positive, culturally appropriate behavior, thought, and speech.
Wikipedia

That practice continues by adapting counseling to incorporate culturally appropriate traditions, concepts and customs into the healing process.
Wikipedia

from — collinsdictionary.com – culturally appropriate

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April 27, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York

This is one of the words / combination of words you can’t say in the new Trump Administration. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.

image: slow is the way © Holly Troy 4.2025