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hyperforeignism

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Examples

“When he wrote that he was going to “Hämbürg”, this was considered 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]”
“When she talked about the beautiful “freschi”, this was considered hyperforeignism because in English one says “frescoes”.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

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