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Introduction

Overview and Purpose

Globalization describes how cultures and populations become increasingly interdependent and connected across different countries worldwide. The connectedness of these countries allows for products and technology to spread across national borders and creates an exchange of ideas and values that influences different cultures (“Globalization,” 2025, para. 2). From globalization, there is a significant development in information and communication technologies that’s driven by the Internet, mobile phones, and social media platforms. In order to limit the scope of this research, the free inquiry project will focus on cultural globalization in the west. The project aims to investigate whether globalization erodes traditional cultural practices and identities or whether it provides new opportunities for cultural preservation and exchange. By examining media culture, its psychological impact, and technological initiatives, this inquiry will highlight the balance between cultural preservation and transformation.

Cultural Exchange and Identity

Canadian Media and Pop Culture

Pop culture encompasses many phenomena such as entertainment, media, fashion, and lifestyle that has been accompanied by technological communications online (Medium, 2024). In Canada, most of the culture reflects on the country’s diverse population which includes the Indigenous Peoples, British, French-Canadian, and other immigrant communities. QuĂ©bec, in particular, has its own distinct cultural identity and values. They’re known for their joie de vivre, meaning joy of living because of their easygoing and cheerful nature (The Old Schoolhouse, n.d.). QuĂ©bec has a distinct and unique cultural identity, including their infamous French QuĂ©becois dialect and accent.

Apart from local Canadian identities, one of the more obvious and impactful influences on Canadian culture and identity is the United States. Both countries speak the same language, with the exception of certain nuances between expressions and idioms, and both are geographically close in proximity. According to an article by Miracle Movers (n.d.), a Canadian person would say “Give it a go” while in the U.S., a more common phrase would be “hit the ground running” (para. 3). These differences are what makes Canadian culture more distinct despite its similarities with the United States because of its British influence. For instance, the words: “color” and “colour” and “gray” and “grey”. These small differences can be seen how the British influenced Canadian language and culture. In a YouTube video made by Corro (2024), he notes that “America and Canada may share a border but they were both founded on fundamentally different values” (1:47). This ultimately highlights how complex Canadian culture is and how there continues to be a diverse influence from other cultures.

Psychological & Identity Impact

Shastina et al. (2018), points out that one of the most underlying factors that contribute to a nation’s identity is their national language. Canadian culture is so deeply influenced by other cultures that English is influenced by the British and that the second language is French. The article points out that “reading is a cultural event since it takes place in a given culture that affects what, how, where, when and even why people read” (p. 159) which also relates to speaking the language. Additionally, Tarman (2016), as cited in Shastina et al. (2018), mentions that when learning the language it encourages students to learn the national identity, understand the culture, and learn self-identity which encourages them to recognize the ethos behind the language. Therefore, while language plays a vital role in shaping the cultural identity of that nation, globalization can redirect the process where the citizens must navigate between different cultural influences and redefines the nation’s sense of self.

Technology in Culture Preservation

Heritage and culture requires documentation, transmission, engagement, and sustainability in order to preserve traditions, customs, and beliefs. In a YouTube video by Culture Summit Abu Dhabi (2021), it explores how modern technology helps with maintaining and sharing cultural heritage across the globe. They highlight the current initiatives and tools that help with making cultural heritage become more accessible. They discuss how many artifacts are using high-resolution imaging and 3D scanning to preserve artworks and historical objects. There can be limits to fully accessing these documents for the public due to legal and ethical considerations such as copyright and intellectual property restrictions. In addition to digitalizing artifacts, many museums such as the Royal BC Museum, offer immersive tours of cultural sites. These immersive tours include tools such as 360° tours and virtual reality to allow visitors to explore iconic areas within that region. The Canadian Museum of History also offers virtual tours of their exhibitions such as the First Peoples Hall and the Canadian History Hall. These features emphasize the importance of how technology maintains, preserves, and promotes cultural heritage through more accessibility and improving equity for different or similar cultural communities.

Conclusion

Globalization as a whole allows for an increased interconnectedness and interdependence of nations across the globe (Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2024). The Canadian identity and culture maintains its distinct sense of self from the United States and remains deeply connected to the global influences of the British and French regions. Globalization might blur cultural boundaries where individuals may feel both enriched and conflicted between these influences, however understanding these two truths emphasizes the whole identity of what it means to be a citizen of Canada. Without a doubt, the multicultural nation is exactly what Canada’s identity is, where the government appreciates the evolving nature of Canada’s individuality and how interconnected it is with the globe.

References

Canadian Museum of History. (n.d.). Virtual tours. https://www.historymuseum.ca/dod/virtual-tours

Corro, A. (2024, December 22). 6 Things Nobody Tells You About Canada vs the USA. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g30186zRVsA

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. (2021, April 8). Technology’s Role in Preserving Cultural Heritage – A case study by Google Arts & Culture. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/en8lcXFFBGg?si=uPxkAk7y3QOsCOvZ

Medium. (2024, March 21). The Globalization of Pop CUlture: How it Transcends Borders and Cultures. https://medium.com/@blog.spot/the-globalization-of-pop-culture-how-it-transcends-borders-and-cultures-d750dabdefef

Miracle Movers. (n.d.). A Canadian in the USA: Understanding cultural differences and adapting. https://www.miraclemovers.com/a-canadian-in-the-usa-understanding-cultural-differences-and-adapting/

Peterson Institute for International Economics. (2024, August 16). What is globalization? And How Has the Global Economy Shaped the United States?. https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-is-globalization

Royal BC Museum. (n.d.). Gallery 360’s. Royal BC Museum and Archives. https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/learn/online-learning-programs/gallery-360s

Shastina, E., Shatunova, O., Borodina, T., Borisov, A., & Maliy, Y. (2018). The Role of Reading in the Development of Giftedness in the Context of Globalization and National Identity. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 9(1), 158–167.

Tarman, B. (2016). Innovation and education. Research in Social Sciences and Technology, 1(1), 77-97.

The Old Schoolhouse. (n.d.). The ‘Joie de Vivre’ of QuĂ©bec. https://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/thecanadianschoolhouse/geography/the-joie-de-vivre-of-quebec/

“Globalization.” (2025, May 23). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization

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