Dictionary

hyperforeignism en · NOUN

Etymology

From hyperforeign + -ism. First use appears c. 1982.

Meanings

1. (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.
   • When he wrote that he was going to “Hämbürg”, it was considered a hyperforeignism because the German form is “Hamburg”.
   • 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] 1982, John C. Wells, Accents of English 1: An Introduction, page 108:
   • Although most hyperforeignisms are accidental, there are some intentional ones, such as Target being humorously called "Tarjay."
2. (broadly, countable, uncountable) 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.
   • When she talked about the beautiful “freschi”, this was considered a hyperforeignism because in English the plural form “frescoes” is used.

Forms

Relateds

exoticism · foreignize · naturalize · hyperforeign · hyperdialectalism · naturalization

Synonyms

hyperforeignization