Abstract

As one of the essential attributes of language, vagueness is comprehensively used in human language communication. Relevance theory proposes that communication is an ostensive-inferential process and the communicator should provide the most relevant information so that the audience can understand the communicator’s intention with the least effort. Based on the existing research and theory of vague language translation in business letters, this thesis will explore the translation strategies of vague language in business letters under the guidance of relevance theory from the aspects of reservation, amplification, conversion and ellipsis. Taking good use of vague language translation under the guidance of Relevance theory can achieve the communicative effect and can help readers to find the optimal Relevance.

Key words: Business Letters; Relevance Theory; vague language

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature Review-2

2.1 Definition of Key Terms-2

2.1.1 Vague Language-2

  2.1.2 Vague Language in Business Letters-3

2.1.3 Relevance Theory.4

2.2 Previous Studies on Vague Language in Business Letters-6

3 Translation Strategies of Vague Language in Business Letters under

  the Guidance of Relevance Theory-..7

3.1 Reservation of Vague Language-8

3.2 Amplification of Vague Language-9

3.3 Conversion of Vague Language-.10

3.4 Ellipsis of Vague Information

4 Conclusion-12

References-14