hyperforeignism

plural hyperforeignisms · alternative hyper-foreignism

1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe 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.

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

   2 more examples

   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

   Synonyms: hyperforeignization

2. broadlycountableuncountablehuman sciencesThe 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.