Hypercorrection in Multilingual Contexts: The Case of Bidayuh Speakers of English

LEONARDO, GINYUN (2025) Hypercorrection in Multilingual Contexts: The Case of Bidayuh Speakers of English. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

	PDF dsva_LEONARDO ANAK GINYUN.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (435kB)
	PDF (Please get the password by email to repository@unimas.my , or call ext: 3973 / 3942 / 3933) Thesis Master_Leonardo Ginyun.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB)
	PDF Thesis Master_Leonardo Ginyun_24 pages.pdf Download (387kB)

Abstract

The current study investigates hypercorrection in a multilingual context among indigenous Bidayuh students speaking English. Hypercorrection is a sociolinguistic phenomenon where linguistic forms are overapplied due to perceived correctness or prestige; has predominantly been studied in European and widely spoken national languages. This qualitative study explores the types and influencing factors of hypercorrection in two age groups (younger: 11-13 years old and older: 15-18 years old) from three Bidayuh language varieties (Biatah, Serian, and Bau), with four participants from each variety, totalling 12 participants. Utilising Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) and the Monitor Hypothesis, hypercorrections were analysed and categorised into overapplication and underapplication. These were further classified into phonological, grammatical, and lexical hypercorrections. Results indicate that participants exhibited all three types, with phonological hypercorrection being the most prevalent, followed by phonological-grammatical overlap, grammatical, and lexical hypercorrection. Younger participants showed fewer hypercorrections than older ones. Qualitative coding identified factors influencing hypercorrection. Deductive coding highlighted age, education levels, phonemic competence, and multiple first languages as factors, while inductive coding revealed different language varieties, exposure to the target language, and language attitudes as additional factors. This study contributes to second language acquisition (SLA) research, informing pedagogical practices for indigenous students and illustrating the dynamic between dominant and minority languages in the context of hypercorrection. Keywords: Hypercorrection, multilingual, Bidayuh, English speakers

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item