THE ACCULTURATION OF CELLO IN CHINESE SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The cello, a quintessential instrument of Western classical music, has undergone a dynamic process of cultural acculturation in China, evolving from an imported artifact into a localized medium of artistic expression. Grounded in acculturation theory, this study employs historical analysis and a literature review to systematically trace the instrument’s development in China, examining its functional roles and cultural integration within traditional orchestras. In doing so, it addresses critical gaps in scholarship regarding the cello’s historical significance and sociocultural impact.Complemented by questionnaire surveys, the research empirically investigates contemporary Chinese society’s perceptions, acceptance, and the evolving identity of the cello across diverse musical contexts. Findings reveal a three-stage paradigm of localization—technical adaptation, functional transformation, and meaning reconstruction—offering a theoretical framework for cross-cultural music studies. This study contributes fresh perspectives to the understanding of foreign musical instruments' acculturation in non-Western societies.

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