HYPERCORRECT Meaning and
Definition
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The term "hypercorrect" refers to the act of overcompensating or exaggerating correct linguistic forms, often resulting in the use of incorrect or non-standard language. It is a phenomenon that primarily occurs when individuals wish to display their mastery or superiority in language skills. In an attempt to avoid perceived errors or stigmatized dialects, individuals may adopt overly formal or archaic language forms that are not commonly used in everyday speech.
Hypercorrection arises from a misapplication or misunderstanding of the grammatical or pronunciation rules of a specific language. It usually emerges when speakers are unaware of the correct usage or pronunciation, leading them to adopt incorrect forms instead. This can often be observed when individuals incorrectly replace a commonly used word or phrase with a more "high-brow" or prestigious equivalent, assuming it to be more correct.
The motivation behind hypercorrection can stem from a desire to adhere to prescribed social norms or linguistic prestige. It can also be driven by a fear of being judged negatively for using non-standard or regional language forms. Consequently, hypercorrecting individuals may be prone to overusing or incorrectly employing these forms, despite their inappropriate or antiquated nature in the given linguistic context.
In conclusion, hypercorrection involves the erroneous use of non-standard or outdated language forms as an attempt to appear more correct or sophisticated. It is important to note that hypercorrect speech or writing may be perceived as affected or unnatural by native speakers who are familiar with the appropriate linguistic norms.
Common Misspellings for HYPERCORRECT
Etymology of HYPERCORRECT
The term "hypercorrect" is derived from the combining of "hyper-" which means "excessive" or "beyond", and "correct" which means "accurate" or "free from error". The word was first recorded in the early 20th century and is typically used to describe an act of overcorrection or an exaggerated effort to be grammatically or linguistically correct.
