hyperkorrektion

Hyperkorrektion is a linguistic phenomenon where a speaker or writer overcorrects a perceived error, often introducing a new, incorrect form. This typically occurs when an individual is consciously trying to avoid a mistake or adhere to a prescriptive rule, but in doing so, they misapply the rule or extend it beyond its proper scope. The result is a form that is grammatically or phonologically incorrect, and often sounds unnatural to native speakers.

This phenomenon is common in language acquisition, where learners may develop hypercorrect forms as they attempt to master new grammatical structures or pronunciation patterns. For example, a child learning English might overgeneralize the past tense "-ed" ending to irregular verbs, saying "goed" instead of "went." Similarly, a speaker aiming to avoid a perceived regionalism might adopt a pronunciation that is not standard in any dialect. Hyperkorrektion can also appear in spelling, with individuals adding or removing letters in an attempt to make a word conform to an imagined rule. The underlying cause is a desire for correctness that, paradoxically, leads to error. It highlights the complexity of language and the challenges of internalizing its often irregular and nuanced rules.