毕业设计论文-商务信函中的模糊语.doc

Table of Contents Abstract i 中文摘要 ii 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Research background 1 1.2 Aims and objectives 1 1.3 Data collection and research method 1 1.4 Organization 2 2. Literature Review 2 2.1 Introduction 2 2.2 Previous related studies 2 2.3 Definition of vague language 2 2.3.1 The classical definition 2 2.3.2 The working definition 3 2.4 Summary 3 3. Classifications of Vague Language in Business Letters 4 3.1 Introduction 4 3.2 Business letters in foreign trade 4 3.2.1 Definition, function of business letters in foreign trade 4 3.2.2 The business letters writing principles 4 3.3 Classifications of vague language in business letters 4 3.3.1 Lexical vagueness 5 3.3.2 Syntactical vagueness 6 3.3.3 Hedges 6 3.4 Summary 6 4. Situations and Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Business Letters 6 4.1 Introduction 6 4.2 The situations of vague language in business letters 7 4.2.1 Conveying the bad news 7 4.2.2 Promoting further negotiation 8 4.2.3 Lacking specific information 8 4.2.4 Clarifying the objective situation 9 4.2.5 Withholding information 9 4.2.6 Requesting the other side to complete obligations 9 4.3 The pragmatic function of vague language in business letters 9 4.3.1 Giving more space in further negotiation 9 4.3.2 Realizing courtesy in communication 10 4.3.3 Enhancing the flexibility 10 4.3.4 Strengthening self-protection 10 4.3.5 Minimizing the threat to the other side 10 4.3.6 Strengthening the persuasiveness 11 4.4 Summary 11 5. Conclusion 11 References 13 Acknowledgements 14  Abstract Business letters play an important role in business communication. Its effective use has a close bearing on the whole transaction. Though “correctness” and “clearness” are the principles of writing business letters, under some circumstances the addresser may employ the vague language to convey the information to the addressee, so that it can finally reach to the specific communicative intentions. Based on various relevant theories, especially Joanna Channell’ s