The role of hyperbole in conveying emotionality: the case of victim speech

Desai, Shreyasi; Bailey, Kate; Filik, Ruth

Abstract

Figurative expressions are commonly used in everyday language as a device for conveying emotion. Hyperbole (e.g. “It took ages for him to arrive”) specifically can provide linguistic emphasis; especially when speakers wish to convey emotional evaluations of negative situations. In sexual crime cases, the victim’s behavioural emotionality often enhances credibility, however, some research suggests that hyperbole-induced linguistic emotionality can be perceived negatively. In this study, we examined whether hyperbole impacts perceived emotionality and assessed the extent of this impact on measures of valence, intensity, and appropriateness. Participants were professionals (police officers) or jury-eligible laypersons who rated testimonies containing either hyperbolic or non-hyperbolic expressions. Results suggested that the use of hyperbole increased the perceived emotional intensity of the testimony, but made testimonies appear less emotionally appropriate than non-hyperbolic counterparts. In addition, regardless of the presence of hyperbole, laypersons judged the scenarios to be more unpleasant, and more emotionally intense compared to professionals. Findings suggest discrepancies between hyperbole usage and discourse goals, versus its perception. That is, hyperbole effectively enhances emotionality, but its role in victim speech may come with more caveats than anticipated, particularly when considering the proposed importance of victim emotionality in establishing credibility.

Citation

Desai, S., Bailey, K., & Filik, R. (2024). The role of hyperbole in conveying emotionality: the case of victim speech. Cognition and Emotion, https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2024.2412611

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 11, 2025
• Journal: Cognition and Emotion
• Print ISSN: 0269-9931
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-0600
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2024.2412611
• Keywords: Forensic pragmatics; victim language; figurative language; hyperbole; linguistic emotionality
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40285862
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699931.2024.2412611
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=pcem20; Received: 2023-12-18; Revised: 2024-07-11; Accepted: 2024-09-30; Published: 2024-10-10