Abstract

Fuzziness is an essential attribute of language. Since the theory of "fuzzy” language has been suggested, a large number of examples about fuzzy language based on the findings of linguistics, semantics and other disciplines are analyzed by most researches to explore the phenomenon in language teaching, business, law and news. The fuzzy language in ancient Chinese poems is often explored on the stylistic translation and language from the perspective of fuzzy theory. Its applications and pragmatic function are merely mentioned. Ancient Chinese poems contain a lot of fuzzy numerals which play a pivotal role. The thesis focuses on the fuzziness of numerals in ancient Chinese poems, illustrating these numerals which not only have its own unique features but also have a pragmatic significance. The pragmatic function of these fuzzy numerals both plays a rhetorical role and enhances the beauty of poems. Combined with examples of ancient Chinese poems, this thesis analyzes the features and origins of fuzzy numbers, trying to explore the necessity and the use of fuzzy numerals and their pragmatic effect on ancient Chinese poems.

Key words: fuzzy numerals; ancient Chinese poetry; pragmatic analysis

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction..1

2.Literature Review2

3.Application and Features of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems.3

3.1 Application of Fuzzy Numerals ..3

3.2 Features of Fuzzy Numerals.4

4.Origins of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems..6

4.1 Subjective Fuzziness.6

4.2 Objective Cognition.7

4.3 Semantic Changes7

4.4 Historical, Cultural and Geographical Factors.8

5.Pragmatic Functions of Fuzzy Numerals ..9

5.1 Improvement in Objectivity and Accuracy..10

5.2 Flexibility and Efficiency in Expressions10

5.3 Effectiveness in Rhetoric 11

6.Conclusion..12

Works Cited14