Orientated for Dummies

Orientated is a word that is used to describe how we position or align ourselves towards a particular object, place, or idea. It means to familiarize ourselves with something or to face a certain direction. It comes from the word "orient," which originally referred to the east or the rising sun.

Think of it this way - imagine you wake up in the morning and the sun is rising, casting a warm and golden glow across the room. You stretch and yawn, and you instinctively turn your face towards the sunlight. In that moment, you are orientating yourself towards the sun, allowing it to guide your body's position.

In a similar way, when we use the word "orientated," it means that we are intentionally positioning ourselves towards something or someone. It's like when you enter a new classroom for the first time and you feel a little lost. You might look around, take note of the desks and chairs, and figure out where the teacher's desk is. By doing so, you are orientating yourself to your new environment, getting acquainted with it, and understanding how things are positioned.

Moreover, "orientated" can also mean becoming familiar with or adapting to a new situation or set of circumstances. Imagine you're travelling to a foreign country where the customs and culture are different from your own. In order to navigate this new place successfully, you might need to orientate yourself to the local customs, learn a few basic phrases in the local language, and understand the societal norms. By doing so, you will become more familiar with this unfamiliar environment and be better equipped to interact with the locals.

So, whether we are talking about physically positioning ourselves or adapting to a new situation, the word "orientated" essentially means to become familiar with, align ourselves towards, or adapt to something or someone.