Hyperforeignism

Quick meaning: Hyperforeignism is a noun meaning (countable, uncountable) The use of a sound or form that is perceived as foreign in a context where a native sound or form would be more correct based on the original language of a given loanword.

Meaning

(countable, uncountable) The use of a sound or form that is perceived as foreign in a context where a native sound or form would be more correct based on the original language of a given loanword.

More Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable, by extension) The misapplication of foreign pronunciation or usage more broadly; approximation that is misapprehensive or pedantic; use of a foreign form that is not in common use.

Example Sentences

When he wrote that he was going to “Hämbürg”, it was considered a hyperforeignism because the German form is “Hamburg”.

Although most hyperforeignisms are accidental, there are some intentional ones, such as Target being humorously called "Tarjay."

When she talked about the beautiful “freschi”, this was considered a hyperforeignism because in English the plural form “frescoes” is used.

For example, there is an awareness based on French that /dʒ/ is an English-type consonant, for which /ʒ/ is the ‘foreign’ equivalent. But when this leads to raj, Taj Mahal, mah-jongg, or adagio with /ʒ/ instead of /dʒ/ (although the languages of origin have affricates in these words), we have what might well be called a hyperforeignism. [boldfaced in source]

Word Forms

• hyperforeignisms
• hyper-foreignism

Synonyms for hyperforeignism

Depending on context, synonyms include hyperforeignization.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include error, mispronunciation, mislocalisation, mondegreen, mispronouncing, misusage.

Related Dictionary Tools