Looking for a proper word in English

Question

Hi, everyone. I'm looking for a word. I assume this kind of word is very Korean in style.(I'm Korean, by the way) In a bit of patriotic view, we Koreans often want to develop our own skills / technologies so that we would not have to rely on foreign firms. And if a certain technology is not yet available within Korea (i.e. no Korean firms own this technology), we would like to (a proper word/verb I'm looking for) this technology. It basically means "to make something a property of a country." That phrase may be misleading but it does not mean 'to nationalize', which gives all the rights and ownership to the government. In other words, it is this view that if a Korean firm owns a technology, Korean people would view this technology as if we all own it. It's like.. occasionally, we would say "Korea is one of the best smartphone producers" rather than "Samsung is one of the best smartphone producers". I guess its somewhat cultural in a sense that we value this idea of being together as one Korean culture. Korean-English dictionaries give me words like 'localize' or 'domesticate' but I do not think these are right words. I don't know if I explained it clearly but if anyone gets what I'm talking about, please think of a word that might fit in here. It's fine if there's no such a word that exists. I would just like to hear words from native English speakers. Thank you!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

You might try looking up the verbs 'appropriate' and 'assimilate' in a thesaurus. That might start a chain of research that would lead you to something even better.

CJ

Clee102 · Answer

Hello, CalifJim. Glad to see you again!

I tried but I'm leaning towards this conclusion that such a word is nonexistent.

I mean, this isn't what American, British or any other English speakers would normally say.

I just decided to omit this part in the writing.

Thanks for the suggestion, though ! I really appreciate it !

AlpheccaStars · Answer

And if a certain technology is not yet available within Korea (i.e. no Korean firms own this technology), we would like to license this technology. If another firm, for example, a Japanese company, has the rights to a technology, another entity can license it; that is to get the rights to produce it.

If Korean firms invented a new technology and manufactured products based on it, and, as a result, became esteemed internationally for doing that, then this technology would be called a product of Korean ingenuity, inventiveness or entrepreneurship. It would be a symbol or emblem of national pride.

Enoon · Answer

naturalize

Clee102 · Answer

Hello, AlpheccaStars !

First, thanks for the reply !

AlpheccaStarsIf another firm, for example, a Japanese company, has the rights to a technology, another entity can license it; that is to get the rights to produce it.

So.. even if a company has the right to a technology, another company can license the technology, or obtain the rights to produce the technology? Sorry, I don't quite get that... I am only working as an intern and don't really know about things in this field.

Thanks for the suggestion and explanation, though. Never actually thought or knew 'license' can be used like this.
It's just as how I feel all the time. I've still got a long way to go and there is no end in learning, especially when it comes to language.

Thank you, good sir / ma'am !

Clee102 · Answer

Hello, enoon !

Thanks for the reply !

Unfortunately, I don't think that's the word I'm looking for, either.

I kind of see what you did there. I mean, I actually get why you suggested 'naturalize'

But is it ... the right / proper / appropriate word to be used in that context? ...

I mean, I thought 'naturalize' deals only with a person / animal / plant.. You know.. isn't it a matter of "citizenship?"

What's more, I was looking for a word to use in a formal document / writing / paper or whatnot.

Since I am NOT native American, British or someone whose mother language is English, I cannot tell if that word is

proper enough not to buy laughter from people.

I can't tell anything from your "naturalize"... Maybe some explanation to enlighten me..?

Anyways, I appreciate your suggestion !

Thank you, good sir / ma'am !

Enoon · Answer

clee102Unfortunately, I don't think that's the word I'm looking for, either.

Well, it is. You asked me, and I told you. Have you looked it up in a good dictionary? The Shorter Oxford has it, "2 verb trans. Introduce or adopt (a word, practice, thing, etc.) into a country or into common use; introduce (an animal or plant) to a place where it is not indigenous, so that it appears native or wild. Freq. as naturalized ppl. adjective L16." The "L16" means that the first citation they found for the word in that use is from the late sixteenth century.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

clee102So.. even if a company has the right to a technology, another company can license the technology, or obtain the rights to produce the technology? Sorry, I don't quite get that... I am only working as an intern and don't really know about things in this field.

Yes, that is the verb "to license." If a company has patented something and another company wants to use it in a product or manufacturing process, the second company can license the invention from the first - they get a bunch of lawyers to write a contract with all the terms and conditions.
The end product can be customized to fit the local tastes and customs.

Alam Khan · Answer

How about "to nationalize"? Sounds much more patriotic. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Mister Micawber · Answer

Hello, Alam Khan—and welcome to English Forums.

Nationalization is the takeover of private businesses by the government, as the original poster, clee, has already mentioned. Before you post to our threads here at EF, please be sure that you are advancing the discussion in a positive fashion.

Thanks!

MM

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