palatalization UK /ˌpælətəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/US /ˌpælətəlɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun2 •The state or quality of being palatalized, of pronouncing a sound with the tongue against the palate of the mouth that normally is not.The word "nature" is commonly pronounced with a palatalization of the letter t to sound like ch. •An instance of pronunciation in which a sound is palatalized. formspalatalizations