商务英语信函中模糊语的语用分析.docx

燕京理工学院毕业设计（论文）诚信申明本人申明：我所呈交的本科毕业设计（论文）是本人在导师指导下对四年专业知识而进行的研究工作及全面的总结。尽我所知，除了文中特别加以标注和致谢中所罗列的内容以外，论文中创新处不包含其他人已经发表或撰写过的研究成果，也不包含为获得北京化工大学北方学院或其它教育机构的学位或证书而已经使用过的材料。与我一同完成毕业设计（论文）的同学对本课题所做的任何贡献均已在文中做了明确的说明并表示了谢意。若有不实之处，本人承担一切相关责任。 本人签字： 年 月 日商务英语信函中模糊语的语用分析李旭丹英语专业 1502班 学号 150740059指导教师 王翠萍讲师摘 要商务英语信函的内容是严肃且清晰的，因此人们通常认为商务英语信函中不会出现模糊语言。然而，在现实的应用场景下，人们在某些特殊的商务来往中会使用模糊语言来达到其目的。对商务英语信函中的模糊语言从顺应理论，合作原则和礼貌原则的的研究视角进行语用方面的分析是非常必要的。在商务英语信函中应用模糊语言可以促进达成商务上的某些目标，由于商务英语信函的写作背景不同，所以商务往来中的物质世界，心理世界，社交世界达不到有效顺应。此外，通过具体实例验证了商务英语信函中的模糊语在违背合作原则以及礼貌原则的基础上才能达到目的。旨在使商务谈判者能够在合适的时间使用合适的模糊语创造一种融洽的氛围取得良好的交际效果。关键词：模糊语言 商务信函 顺应理论 礼貌原则 合作原则 语用学Pragmatic Analysis on the Vague Language in English Business CorrespondenceAbstractIt is believed that the content of the English business correspondence is serious and clear, so normally, people may think there will be no vague language in English business letter. However, people will use vague language to achieve purpose. Thus, it is necessary to pragmatically analyze vague language in English business correspondence from the perspectives of adaptation theory, cooperative principle and politeness principle in life.English business correspondence can be used to help the users to achieve certain business targets. Because of the different writing backgrounds of English business correspondence, the business language cannot be effectively adapted to the physical world, psychological world and social world in business communication. In addition, it is verified by concrete examples that the vague language in English business correspondences can only achieve its purpose on the basis of violating the principle of cooperation and politeness. The aim is to enable business negotiators to use appropriate vague language at the right time to create a harmonious atmosphere and achieve good communication results.Keywords: Vague Language business correspondence adaptation theory politeness principle cooperation principleContentsIntroduction.1Chapter 1 an introduction of the Research.31.1 The Background of this Research.31.2 The Significance of the Research.41.3 Literature Review.41.4 Brief Introduction of the Thesis.61.5 Methodology of the Thesis.6Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework .72.1 Adaptation Theory .72.2 Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle .7Chapter 3 Vague language in English Business Correspondence.103.1 An Introduction to English Business Correspondence.103.2 The Definition of Vague Language.103.3 Vague Language in English Business Correspondence.10Chapter 4 Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in English Business Correspondence.134.1 Analysis on Vague Language from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory .134.2 Analysis on Vague Language from the Perspectives of Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle.16Chapter5 Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in English Business Correspondence.195.1 Making Language Persuasive.195.2 Making Correspondence Proper.195.3 Strengthening Self-protection.20Conclusion.21Bibliography.24Acknowledgments.25VIntroductionWith the globalization of the economy, English business correspondence has gradually become an important part of life and work, and it directly affects the cooperation of enterprises or individuals. However, it is found that the vague languages of the English business correspondence is extensive used and makes English business correspondence more agile. It is also showed that the vague language used in business correspondence is mainly based on three principles, which are Cooperative Principle, Adaptation Theory and Politeness Principle.This thesis has six chapters in total.Chapter one is a general introduction of this thesis, including the previous study related to this topic, the significance of this study, the background and some relevant information. The first part of this research has literature review as well. It makes a conclusion on the adaption theory and some other theories in the part of literature review. By interpreting the term, the vague language becomes more unambiguous. The vague languages in English business correspondence are appeared. After these reviews, the perspective and the framework are followed.Chapter two present the theoretical framework of this study. The main theory used in this thesis is adaptation theory which is introduced from the four aspects of adaptability specifically and comprehensively in chapter two. Then it follows a brief introduction of cooperative principle and politeness principle. Lastly, an explanation is made to tell how the three theories support this study comprehensively and systematically.Chapter three gives a general idea of the vague language and the English business correspondence. There are some introductions of English business correspondence. Besides, there are some dates from other linguists. In the study, the detailed definition of English business correspondence and the vague language is presented.In Chapter four, it analyzes the vague language in English business correspondence pragmatically from the perspectives of adaptation theory, cooperative principle and politeness principle. Chapter five is the relatively significant part. This part primarily represents the pragmatic functions of vague language in English business correspondence. It makes language persuasive, make correspondence proper and strengthening self-protection as well.The last one is the conclusion about this thesis.This study is conducted to help people have a clearer and more comprehensive idea on vague language used in business correspondence. And some conclusions are made to help language users to take good advantage of vague language when they make business communication. Chapter 1 Introduction of the Research1.1The Background of this ResearchIn the world, accompanied with high development of the economy, cross-cultural communications has become more ordinary, continual and necessary. On the premise of this phenomenon, English business correspondence, as one of the most effective medium of business communications, is frequently used in a wide range of business activities. But unfortunately, because of the limitation of users educational background, awareness and capacity of using a foreign language, a lot of misunderstanding occurred every day, causing a great amount of economic loss. As referring to correspondence, “clear, concise, correct, concrete, considerate, courteous and complete” named as 7Cs principles dominate the writing of English business correspondence.1 Actually, vague language is widely used in English business correspondence because it can help achieve certain communication effects.Now, many reports or researches of vague language are directed from semantic perspective concentrate on analyzing the significance of vague expressions. It is obvious that this type of research is half-baked to analyze vague language of English business correspondence, on account of usage of language has to acclimatize itself to the changing world. Vague language in English business correspondence in former reports or studies, it is analyzed by using relevance theory, politeness principle, etc. 1.2 Significance of the ResearchMore and more countries actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, so the international business and communication become more prosperous. English business correspondence, the significant way for business communication, is playing a more and more important role in the international communication and business. Although business correspondence is normally regarded as serious and accurate text, there are many vague languages appear in these texts. Vague language is widely used in business, but many people dont have a very clear idea about it. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct such study to help people have a clear and comprehensive idea about it.A lot of people, especially businessmen and businesswomen who do international business, have already been aware of the enormous function of English letters. People use English correspondence every day in the world. However, some details ignored like vague language caused misunderstanding even financial loss often. But few people pay much attention to this kind of details because it is just like a drop in the bucket comparing with their business. It is known that details determine success or failure, so this thesis is to study some details that people often ignore but very important academically and practically. This thesis is to achieve three goals. The first one is to present the usage of vague language English business correspondence clearly and systematically by materials collecting and analyzing. The second target is to attract people's attention of vague language in English business correspondence no matter where they are .The last and practical one is to conclude some rules or principles that can be universally used in English business correspondence that make the communication between Chinese and English more effective and efficient.1.3 Literature ReviewAs this thesis is to study the pragmatic usage of vague language in English business correspondence, it is necessary to review the previous study of vague language. Applied linguist Channell has pointed out that vague language should be studied with semantics and pragmatics, especially with pragmatics due to the utility of vague language. 2 In linguistic study, semantics and pragmatics are the two common and useful aspects researchers use. So this part will make a review of the previous study from the perspective of semantics and pragmatics. Previously, most scholars focused on the semantic functions of vague language. And in a quite long time, semantic study was the mainstream of vague language study. Channel is one of the representatives. Lakoff and McCawley also came up with some ideas about vague language. For example, Lakoff thought that in the real practice, the usage of vague always has some limitations so that the meaning of the texts can be obtained. In addition, Chinese scholars like Wu Tieping and Zhang Qiao shared their opinion toward vague. Linguistics develops greatly and more and more researchers shifted their attention to the pragmatic study. The outstanding representatives in this field are Cystal, Davy, A.H.Jucker and Chinese scholar He Ziran. Many valuable ideas are put forward by them. Jucker thought that vague language are pervasive in daily use. He Ziran analyzed and studied vague language from the perspective of speech act theory. And he came up with the idea that vague expressions can make utterance more appropriate.1.4 Brief Introduction of the ThesisMore and more countries actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, so the international business and communication become more prosperous. English business correspondence is playing a more and more important role in the international communication and business. But not so many people aware the importance of vague language in English correspondence and can us it properly. So this thesis is trying to analyze the usage of vague language in English business correspondence pragmatically from the perspectives of adaption theory, politeness principle and cooperative principle. There are three initiatives of this thesis. Firstly, this thesis is to present the usage of vague language English business correspondence clearly and systematically by materials collecting and analyzing. Secondly it is to arouse people's awareness of vague language in English business correspondence; no matter they are in the field of international trade or English study. The last and practical aim of this thesis is to conclude some rules or principles that can be universally used in English business correspondence that make the communication between Chinese and English more effective and efficient.1.5Methodology of the ThesisThe qualitative analysis is put in to use under guidance of Adaptation Theory, Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle to figure out when and why the vague language is used in the English business correspondence. And this analysis is to find out how does vague language works in the process of business communications to achieve the communicative proposes and what kind of functions it has in the communication.Some texts of English business correspondence are selected as example to support the analysis. In order to make this study authentic and accurate, every example is selected from the real business communication or published works. And the analysis method is relatively fixed.It is known to all that every letter is written for some purposes