摘要模糊性是语言的重要特征之一，模糊语言在商务英语的交流中起着重要作用。本文使用语用学理论对商务信函中的模糊语言进行了分析。通过分析得出以下结论：英语商务信函中的模糊语言是为了顺应不同的语境及不同的写作目的。模糊语言在英语商务信函中具有以下语用功能：表达礼貌；增强商务交流的灵活性；增强说服力；自我保护；减轻面子威胁的影响。本研究能够提高商务从业人士恰当灵活地运用模糊语言的意识，从而促进商务交流的顺利进行。79992

毕业论文关键词：英语商务信函；模糊语言；语用功能

Abstract As an important feature of language, vagueness plays an important role in English business communication。 The pragmatic theories are used to analyze vague language in English business letters。 Based on the analysis we can draw a conclusion that the employment of vague language in English business letters by the addresser can help him fulfill certain communicative intention。 The pragmatic functions of vague language in English business letters are: making English business letters more polite; improving the flexibility; enhancing the persuasiveness; ensuring self-protection; mitigating the face-threatening effects。 The research will raise professional businessmen’s awareness to use vague language appropriately, thus making business communication smoothly and successfully。

Key words: English business letters; vague language; pragmatic function 

Contents

摘 要 i

Abstract ii

I。 Introduction 1

II。 Overview of Vague Language and Pragmatic Theories 2

2。1 Overview of Vague Language 2

 2。2 Cooperative Principle 3

2。3 Politeness Principle 4

2。4 Adaptation Theory 5

III。 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in English Business Letters 5

3。1 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language According to Cooperative Principle 6

3。2 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language According to Politeness Principle 7

3。3 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language According to Adaptation Theory 10

IV。 Pragmatic Functions of Vagueness in English Business Letters 11

4。1 Making English Business Letters More Polite 11

4。2 Enhancing the Persuasiveness 12

4。3 Improving the Flexibility 12

4。4 Ensuring Self-protection 13

4。5 Mitigating the Face-threatening Effects 13

V。 Conclusion 14

Bibliography 16

Acknowledgements 17

A Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in English 

Business Letters

 I。 Introduction

With the rapid development of global economic integration, business communication has played an even more significant part in commercial activities, such as entering into a business relationship, transportation of goods, payment, insurance and shipment and so on。 Business correspondence is the letters exchanged in business communication to achieve the goal of purchase and sale。 As a kind of important way of business exchange, business letters are frequently used in business exchange and even are one of the major communicating ways。 Based on Chen Xiangguo (3), business letters are written to achieve the goal of “requesting or conveying information, arraigning business activities or dealing with business negotiations。” As a necessary tool for communication between sender and recipient in business transaction, business letters are an necessary part in business exchange, such as entering into a commercial intercourse, answering inquiries, transportation of goods and so on。 Although the oral communication can also exchange message, it’s easy to forget or misunderstand, it may have trouble in business transaction。 To make business letters an effective way to convey information, it must ensure that the message is correctly received。论文网