What really happens when I change the culture of a province?

[Newfoundland(2)]

It's not a question about the game itself, actually. I was just wondering that what does the mechanism of change culture really mean in game?

When i click a button on the game interface, I spend some dip points and after a while the culture of this province will be changed. But how? During the Roman age it may mean I killed or enslaved all local citizens and migrated my people to that place. But considering that it's year 1444 now, I don't think that could work.

It's also highly unlikely that I establish elementary schools to teach the language I use.

There are some clues, though. By finishing religious idea or embracing Enlightenment, players can change province culture with fewer DIP points cost. Besides, converting a province from culture A to culture B will incur a relations hit with every country whose primary culture is culture A.

So what history event is this mechanism simulating?

 

[Badesumofu]

Possibly one that is forbidden to discuss here.

I guess there is no definite fact of the matter beyond the game mechanics. It's up to you and your own head-cannon I guess. I mean, you are spending DIP rather than MIL so I can imagine it being a gradual peaceful change.

 

[viale]

I think a developer stated it's more related to the local ruling elite(s) in a province changing their customs than outright massacre and diaspora.

Actually this also explains the cost scaling with development. Since development is the best measure of how big the population is, it stands to reason the elite is bigger. There's also the issue of how the low and middle-class usually tries to mimic the customs of the elite since that's a measure of prestige. A sort of cultural trickle-down mechanic means the culture conversion time could mean how long it takes for the new culture to seep down and into the population at large.

 

[Br0f1st]

On a similar note, does anyone else agree that the sound that plays when you do a culture swap is rather unsettling?

 

[Troopperi]

I have no idea if it makes sense or not, but I think it might be a combination of moving people of the wanted culture to the province to displace the previous inhabitants and assimilating the people of the previous culture to the new one. Also maybe promoting the wanted cultures ways.

 

[Roxas15]

Did u ever hear of assimilation? U dont need schools back then to make the people change their culture and language. when the language becomes the common language spoken on the markets and in administration it means that people are forced to learn it. then in 2-3 generations they have no need for the old language anymore and start to identify with the new language and its culture. people are more pragmatic than we think.

 

[True_Heir_of_Rome]

I always figured the culture and religion of a province to be that of the nobility. With either conversion you are convincing the local nobles to assimilate or replacing the ones who won't.