Abstract:Vagueness is one attribute of the natural language. Since Zadeh’s publication of the paper of “Fuzzy Sets” in 1965, people began to pay attention to the vagueness of language and had put it into use in many fields today. With the development of globalization, people from different countries began to study the pragmatic functions of vague language in cross-cultural communication. Today human beings have been making use of vague language widely in cross-cultural communication. Countless evidences make it clear that although the language is vague it does not prevent the communication. On the contrary, it greatly increases the expressive force of language, and makes the communication smoother, more implicit, polite and flexible, thus achieving even better communication. 

This thesis includes four chapters. Chapter one presents the background and the significance of the research. Chapter two introduces the definitions of vagueness of language from different opinions and the features of vagueness of language. Chapter three presents pragmatic principles, pragmatic failures, the factors of pragmatic failures of vague language in cross-cultural communication and pragmatic functions of vague language in cross-cultural communication. Chapter four summarizes the whole text, presents the limitations of the research and gives the directions for the further study.

Keywords: cross-cultural communication  vagueness of language  pragmatic principles pragmatic functions 

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Background of this Paper-1

1.2 Significance of the Research-1

Chapter Two Vague Language-3

2.1 Vagueness of Language-3

2.2 Features of Vagueness-3

Chapter Three Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in Cross-Cultural Communication-5

3.1 Theoretical Grounds for Pragmatic Analysis of Vague Language in Cross-Cultural Communication-5

3.1.1 Cooperative Principle in Cross-Cultural Communication-5

3.1.2 Politeness Principle in Cross-Cultural Communication-5

3.1.3 Face-Saving Theory in Cross-Cultural Communication-6

3.2 Pragmatic Failures of Vague Language in Cross-Cultural Communication-6

3.2.1 Pragmatic Failures Caused by Habits and Customs-7

3.2.2 Pragmatic Failures Caused by Various Values-8

3.2.3 Pragmatic Failures Caused by Cognitive Context Differences-8

3.3 Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Cross-Cultural Communication-9

3.3.1 Providing Appropriate Information-9

3.3.2 Deliberately Withholding Information-9

3.3.3 Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere-10

3.3.4 Being Polite-10

3.3.5 Being Humorous-11

3.3.6 Being Euphemistic-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

4.1 Major Findings-12

4.2 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Study-12

References-14