The Pragmatic Use of Hyperbole in Student Communication: A Study among Students at Goce Delcev University

This paper examines the pragmatic use of hyperbole in the communication of students at Goce Delcev University. Within the framework of pragmatics, hyperbole is understood as an intentional exaggeration employed to achieve specific communicative effects rather than to convey literal meaning. The study focuses on identifying the pragmatic functions of hyperbole in everyday student discourse, particularly its role in expressing emotions, strengthening interpersonal relations, creating humor, and establishing solidarity and group identity among young speakers. The empirical research was conducted using a questionnaire distributed among university students, collecting data on their perceptions and usage of hyperbolic expressions in informal communication. The analysis explores the frequency, contexts, and communicative purposes of hyperbole, highlighting its function as a discourse strategy characteristic of youth language. The paper consists of two main parts. The theoretical section provides an overview of key concepts in pragmatics, with particular attention to hyperbole as a pragmatic and rhetorical device, as well as a brief discussion of the main features of youth language. The empirical section presents the research methodology, followed by data analysis, interpretation of results, and concluding remarks. The findings contribute to a better understanding of hyperbole as a pragmatic resource in student communication and its significance in contemporary youth discourse. Keywords: pragmatics, hyperbole, pragmatic strategies, youth language, student communication