Abstract：Vagueness is an essential feature of natural language. Pragmatic vagueness is widely used in politics, economy and human life, especially in the field of diplomacy. Diplomats will use a large quantity of pragmatic vagueness to avoid sensitive issues and create a harmonious atmosphere in diplomatic activities.

According to Adaptation Theory established by Verschueren, the process of using language is a continuous process of making linguistic choices, regardless of whether language users are conscious or not. Language users will consider every element in the specific communicative context and then make proper language choices. The process of language users making appropriate language choices according to the specific context is adaptation process in linguistics. Contextual factors mainly contain the mental world, the social world and the physical world. The realization of pragmatic vagueness in diplomatic language is the typical adaptation phenomenon in linguistics, which demonstrates the Adaptation Theory. 

This thesis conducts researches on how diplomats adapt to three worlds in diplomatic context to adopt pragmatic vagueness on lexical level as well as sentential level based on Adaptation Theory. In addition, functions of using vague expressions in formal diplomatic occasions are elaborated in this thesis.

Keywords:  pragmatic vagueness  diplomatic language  Adaptation Theory

中文摘要：模糊性是语言的本质特征，语用模糊广泛应用于政治、经济和人类生活中，特别是在外交领域。外交官在外交活动中会大量运用语用模糊来避免尴尬的问题并且创造和谐的外交氛围。

 根据维索尔伦提出的顺应论，使用语言的过程就是做出一系列接连不断的语言选择的过程不管语言使用者是否有意识。语言的使用者会考虑特定交际语境中的每个因素，然后做出合适的语言选择。语言使用者根据特定语境做出适当的语言选择的过程被称为顺应过程。语境因素中主要包含心里世界，社交世界和物理世界。语用模糊在外交语言中的使用在语言学中是典型的语言顺应现象，这种使用过程体现了顺应论。

本文以顺应论为基础，在词汇层面以及句子层面研究外交官在外交语境中如何顺应三个世界来运用语用模糊。此外，本论文也会详细阐述在正式外交场合中使用模糊表达的作用。

关键词: 语用模糊；外交语言；顺应论

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background and Significance of the Research-1

1.2 Objectives of the Research-1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter two Literature Review-3

2.1 Study of Pragmatic Vagueness-3

2.2 A Brief Introduction to Diplomatic Language-3

2.3 Researches on Pragmatic Vagueness in Diplomatic Language-4

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-5

3.1 Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory-5

3.2 Four Angles of Investigation-5

3.2.1 Contextual Correlates of Adaptability-6

3.2.2 Structural Objects of Adaptability-6

3.2.3 Dynamics of Adaptability-6

3.2.4 Salience of Adaptability-6

Chapter Four Analysis of Pragmatic Vagueness in Diplomatic language-8

4.1 Pragmatic Vagueness Analysis on Lexical Level-8

4.1.1 Deixis-8

4.1.2 Hedges-9

4.2 Pragmatic Vagueness Analysis on Sentential Level-9

4.2.1 Negative Sentences-10

4.2.2 If-clauses-10

4.3 The Realization of Adaptation in Diplomatic Language-10

4.3.1 Adaptation to the Mental World-11

4.3.2 Adaptation to the Social World-11

4.3.3 Adaptation to the Physical World-12

Chapter Five Functions of Pragmatic Vagueness in Diplomatic Language-13

5.1 Protecting National Interests-13

5.2 Easing Tensions and Social Contradictions-13

5.3 Showing Respect for Other Countries-13

Chapter Six Conclusion-15

6.1 Major Findings of the Thesis-15

6.2 Limitations of the Thesis-16

References-17