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Consider the following paragraph:

Gramsci believed that languages created in a laboratory (i.e. Esperanto) do not develop organically in the mind of a nation and its individuals. The imposition of externally derived rules and language that have no 'organic nature' (Italian: organicità) was tantamount to putting the mind in a straitjacket.

What word could be substituted for 'organic nature'?

organicity & organicness seem like possibilities, but I've never come across either of them.

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BTW, it's a common error to use "i.e." for "e.g.". Esperanto is not the only such language alluded to. There are also Loglan, Klingon, and many more. – Mike Jones Feb 14 '12 at 23:23
up vote 3 down vote accepted

I wanted to say something about the meaning, since I speak Italian natively.

Organicità in Italian is an "ordered, harmonious and rational connection among the various parts of a whole". (It makes sense in English, right?)

So, Organico means "to be well-balanced, harmonious and ordered in all its parts".

The phrase Sam suggested is ok, although it describes the situation from a slightly different point of view. I looked up Organicity and I only found it on the OED. So it exists in English, or better, it "existed" because, looking at the Ngram Viwer, I suppose it's not really that used lately.

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“Organic nature” is more used than “organicity”. – F'x Apr 22 '11 at 9:19
@F'x: So there are no corresponding single words in English? – Alenanno Apr 22 '11 at 9:21
There are, but not with this root: coherence, integration, harmony, coordination, … – F'x Apr 22 '11 at 9:23
I see. I wonder why English didn't keep Organicty, but I guess it's OT for this question. Thanks for the list anyway! – Alenanno Apr 22 '11 at 9:32
@Alenanno: I realised that my list is a possible answer to the question, so I reposted it as such :) – F'x Apr 22 '11 at 9:37

I would rephrase the whole sentence to something like:

The imposition of externally derived rules and language that didn't evolve organically was tantamount to putting the mind in a straitjacket.

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According to Wiktionary, organicità translates to "organic unity." Assuming we're in the ballpark with that and "organic nature," the sentence leads me to think "organic integrity" is close to the mark.

If the single word is what you're after, consider "acculturation."

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I would suggest: coherence, integration, harmony, or coordination.

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Based on Alenanno's description of the meaning, I'd say "coherence" is the best fit. – Tom Anderson Aug 30 '11 at 8:56

Organic here has the meaning of 'denoting or characterized by a harmonious relationship between the elements of a whole' (see Oxford). They give the example: 'the organic unity of the integral work of art'.

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