A Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in English Business Correspondences

Abstract As an important form of international communication, English bushiness correspondences are usually written in correct and clear language。 However, in our daily life, the use of vague language in business letters is quite common。 At bottom, the vague language will improve the politeness and propriety rather than reduce the accuracy of business letters。 

There are assorted classifications of vague language, among which vague syntax and hedges are the most popular types of vague language in English business letters。 Based on cooperative principle, politeness principle and adaption theory, this study conducts a pragmatic analysis on vague syntax and hedges in English business letters and concludes the pragmatic functions of vague language。 Detailed analyses are conducted from the aspects of passive structures, interrogative sentences, approximators and shields。 The study finds that vague language can improve the politeness of business correspondences and save the faces of both sides of the trade to promote the cooperation。 84545

 The usage of vague language is increasingly extensive in English business correspondences。 Therefore, the pragmatic analysis of vague language can help people have a better understanding of it, making people use vague language in English business letters more effectively and more correctly。

Keywords: pragmatic analysis; English business correspondences; vague language

商务英语信函中模糊语言的语用分析

摘要商务英语信函作为国际沟通交流的重要形式，其使用的语言应准确清晰。可在实际的商务英语信函中，模糊语言的使用并不少见，这些模糊语言不仅没有降低信函的准确性，反而使之更加礼貌得体。

模糊语言的分类多种多样，其中结构型模糊语和模糊限制语是商务英语信函中最常见的两类模糊语言。基于合作原则、礼貌原则和顺应理论，本文对商务英语信函中的结构型模糊语和模糊限制语进行了语用分析，并且总结了商务英语信函中模糊语言的语用功能。具体分析从被动结构、疑问句，变动型以及缓和型模糊限制语等方面展开。研究发现在商务信函中适当地使用模糊语言可以使表达更加礼貌得体，能够维护贸易双方的的面子，从而促进贸易合作。

模糊语言在商务英语信函中的使用范围已越来越广，对其进行语用分析可让商务信函撰写者对模糊语言有更正确的认识，从而使他们在商务英语信函中更有效、更准确地使用模糊语言。

毕业论文关键词：语用分析；商务信函；模糊语言

Contents

Abstract in English I

Abstract in Chinese III

I。 Introduction 1

II。 Literature Review 2

2。1 Studies Abroad 2

2。2 Studies at Home 3

III。 Theoretical Basis 4

3。1 Cooperative Principle 4

3。2 Politeness Principle 5

3。3 Adaption Theory 6

IV。 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in English Business　Correspondences 9

4。1 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Syntax 9

4。1。1 Vagueness in Passive Structures 9

4。1。2 Vagueness in Interrogative Sentences 10

4。2 Pragmatic Analysis of Hedges