internalization
UK[ɪnˌtɜː.nə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən]US[ɪnˌtɝː.nə.ləˈzeɪ.ʃən]
n
The process of making something, especially an attitude, belief, or value, a part of one's own nature or way of thinking.
n
The action or process of bringing something, such as costs or services, within an organization rather than buying them from outside.
Morpheme Breakdown
inter
nal
ization
inter
within
nal
adjective suffix
ization
process of making
Etymology
The word 'internalization' is built upon the adjective 'internal', which originates from the Latin internus, meaning "inward, internal". This Latin term itself is derived from the preposition inter, signifying "within". The suffix '-ization' was added in Modern English, a productive suffix from Latin via Greek and French, which converts verbs ending in '-ize' into nouns denoting a process or result. Therefore, the literal construction is "the process of making something internal". This elegantly captures the core concept of moving something from an external state to an internal one, whether it be abstract beliefs becoming part of one's psyche or concrete functions being absorbed within an organization's structure.
Analysis
Structure: inter (within) + nal (adjective suffix) + ization (process of making)
- inter: From Latin inter, meaning "within, inside, between". In this word, it signifies "within".
- nal: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis) used to form adjectives meaning "of or pertaining to".
- ization: A suffix from Latin (-izare) via Greek (-izein) and French (-iser), forming nouns meaning "the process or result of making or becoming".
Examples
The internalization of social norms begins in early childhood.
The company's internalization of its supply chain reduced costs and improved efficiency.
True learning involves the internalization of concepts, not just memorization of facts.