摘要

模糊语言在商务交流中有重要价值，被广泛应用于商务沟通中。在不同的背景和不同应用目的下，模糊语言的意义不同。在社会科学和语言学中，合作原则主要是介绍如何与人交往。保罗•格莱斯认为合作原则下，交流者应遵循合作原则，包括量的准则、质的准则、关系准则、方式准则。
本文基于合作原则，对模糊语言在商务函电中的应用进行了分析。模糊语言可以分为语音模糊、词语模糊、限制词模糊、模糊蕴涵四类。本文对模糊语每一种类型而言，先分析模糊语言的定义，然后举出相关的例子。根据合作语言的原则，分析例子是否符合合作原则，具体符合合作原则的哪一部分，并在该过程中，展示模糊语言在商务沟通中的价值和所起到的效果。最后，从应用角度阐明了如何利用合作原则来驾驭模糊语言，达到顺畅沟通的目的，提出了两条建议。

关键词：模糊语言；商务函电；合作原则；应用；效果   
 
Abstract

Vague language, as a useful notional means, is widely used in business communication. Vague language has more than one possible interpretation in different contexts and for different pragmatic purposes. In social science generally and linguistics specifically, the cooperative principle describes how people interact with one another. According to Grice, speakers are expected to obey the Cooperative Principle, including Maxims of Quality, Quantity, Relevance and Manner.
Vague language in English business correspondence is analysized from the Cooperative Principle perspective. Vague language can be classified into vague sound, vague word, vague hedges and vagueness by implicature. Firstly, this thesis analysizes the meaning of vague language, and then illustrates some related examples; Secondly, the thesis studies on examples whether or not obey the cooperative principle and obey which part of cooperative principle, and show the value and the effects of vague language in business communication; Thirdly, the thesis introduces how vague languages used in business correspondence from the cooperative principle perspective. At last, two suggestions of writing letters have been put forward.

Key words: Vague language; Business Correspondence; Cooperative principle; Application; Effects 

1. Introduction
People have many beliefs about language. An important and obvious opinion is that we put great emphasis on “good” language which involves such virtues as, clarity, and precision. Hence, it is believed that vagueness, ambiguity, imprecision, and general woolliness are avoided. But ordinary language leaves room for people to be vague, avoid precision and associated with the communication. The feature of being vague is a neglected concern for the linguist, and yet it is an important part of the protection of every speaker and writer. If people did not have access to it, their range of communication would be restricted severely, and that is to say, the abundant semantic properties of vague language have rendered its various functions which cannot be replaced by other forms of language.