从顺应论角度分析商务英语信函中的模糊语言_英语论文

An Analysis of Vague Language in English Business Correspondence from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory

摘要

随着全球经济一体化的发展，市场竞争日趋激烈，国际贸易十分频繁，商务英语信函成为了商务交际者进行交流与沟通的一种重要方式，一贯要求其语言表达要明确具体，然而交际者却常常使用模糊语言来实现其交际目的，由此可见，模糊语言对于商务之间的交际效果有着举足轻重的作用，合理地使用模糊语言是衡量商务交际者交际能力的一个重要标准。本文从顺应论的角度对商务英语信函中的模糊语言进行阐释性研究，并由此分析出其语用功能。首先，它详细介绍了商务英语信函中模糊语言的定义和表现形式，其次介绍了顺应论的定义，并解释了模糊语言的顺应性，最后从顺应论的角度分析了商务英语信函中模糊语言的语用功能。

关键词：商务英语信函；模糊语言；顺应论；语用功能

Abstract

With the development of the global economy integration, the market competition is more intense, and international trade is very frequent. English business correspondence has become an important way for business communicators to communicate with each other. The language is always required to be clear and specific. However, business communicators usually use vague language to achieve their communicative purposes. It shows that vague language plays an important role in the business interactions. The reasonable use of vague language is a vital criterion to measure the communicative competence of business communicators. This thesis studies and explains the vague language in the English business correspondence from the perspective of adaptation theory, and analyzes its pragmatic functions. Firstly, it introduces the definition of vague language and the expressive forms of vague language in English Correspondence in detail; secondly, the definition of Adaptation Theory is introduced and then comes the adaptation interpretation of vague language in terms of Adaptation Theory; finally, it analyzes the pragmatic functions of vague language in English business correspondence from the perspective of Adaptation Theory.

Key Words: English business correspondence; vague language; Adaptation Theory; pragmatic functions 

Contents

Acknowledgementsi

Abstract & Key words in Englishⅱ

Abstract & Key words in Chineseⅲ

Introduction1

1. Vague Language in English Business Correspondence1

1.1 The Definition of Vague Language2

  1.2 The Expressive Forms of Vague Language in EBC.2

1.2.1 Vague Words in English Business Correspondence3

 1.2.2 Hedges in English Business Correspondence.5

 1.2.3 Vague Structures in English Business Correspondence5

2. The Definition of Adaptation Theory.6

3. The Adaptation Interpretation of Vague Language in EBC.7  

  3.1 The Adaptation of Psychological World7

  3.2 The Adaptation of Physical World.9

  3.3 The Adaptation of Social World.10

3.3.1 Compliance with International Business Etiquette.10

3.3.2 Compliance with International Trade Rules10

4. The Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in EBC from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory11 

  4.1 Improving accuracy and objectivity of language.11

  4.2 Making language become more polite and euphemistic12

  4.3 Protecting the interests of the writers.13

  4.4 Keeping the relevant information.13

Conclusion14

References16