Abstract

Although one of the pursuits of language is accuracy, people often use vague language deliberately for various reasons in actual use of language. In business English correspondence, which is famous for the preciseness and according to the research of many scholars at home and abroad, the vague language also exists in large quantities. Vague language in English business correspondence mainly manifests as: vague word, hedges and vague sentential etc. The existence of the vague language, which follow the principle of courtesy and euphemism in the communicative language at the same time, leave larger room for the later operation, and maximize to realize the protection of the author’s right and the reduction of his responsibility. Therefore, it is necessary to use some vague language in Business English correspondence. The drafter of a letter can use vague language consciously at many aspects such as amount information, time information, view expression, request response and so on, thus maximally realize the effects of continuous communication, fight for the interests, personal protection etc.

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

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature Review-2

3 Vague Language in Business English Correspondence-3

3.1 Vague Words-3

3.2 Hedges-3

3.3 Vague Sentential Form-4

3.3.1 Passive Structure-4

3.3.2 Conditional Structure-5

3.3.3 Negative Structure-5

4 Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language-6

4.1 Expressions of Courtesy and Euphemism-6

4.2 Room for Flexibility-7

4.3 Self-protection-8

5 Pragmatic Strategies of Vague Language-10

5.1 Optimum to Convey Writer’s Information-10

5.1.1 Amount Information-10

5.1.2 Time Information-11

5.1.3 Other Information-12

5.2 Optimum to Express Writer’s Views-13

5.3 Optimum to Request Reader’s Responses-14

6 Conclusion-14

References-16