I am intrigued. I am all about semantics and love how you've delved deeper into the original meanings.

I'm not sure that one can develop a standard for a process without determining what can be done to improve it first.

If you're using the term standard as an expectation, then I agree. One must have an expectation prior to beginning, but standardizing the process requires studying the order first, then sorting for clarity. After that one can remove muda.

For me, it makes more sense to drop the silliness of finding S words that translate well, and develop a system that clearly defines the stages:

Observation (determining rational order and removing clutter)

Test Process (Once clutter is removed and a rational order is defined, test the process.)

Refinement (If necessary.)

Standardize (If all went well, this becomes the new standard.)

Shitsuke (I love your definition that it is a self-discipline and reflection process that helps sustain the improvements within ourselves first and the process second.)

I enjoyed that your article made me think back to how I refined processes before Process Improvement became a thing. (I'm old.) :)