修辞学,大学英语小论文

Rhetorical Functions of Accuracy and Vagueness Vagueness, clearly, is a matter of degree, depending upon the extent of the possible differences between different systems represented by the same representation. Accuracy, on the contrary, is an ideal limit.1Generally speaking, vagueness is a language attribute, so we should bear it in mind that accuracy as well as vagueness is a comparative definition. However, as two important ways of expression, they both possess rhetorical functions.First of all, accuracy enables a speaker or writer to express ideas exactly and to the point while vagueness allows him or her to carry on the communication smoothly.Speech and writing are always man’s important methods of communication, which requires people to convey information and ideas in the exact degree. In other words, accuracy ensures exact expression in communicative function. Hereafter is an example about the British General Churchill, who highly stressed accuracy. During the WWII, an officer working in Department of Chief of General Staff of the British Army once reported that his troop had been fighting with the Germans at a small village in Italy. Back came Churchill’s copy that “We do not fight with Germans. We fight either for or against them.”In this example, the officer had expected to convey the information of fighting against enemies but failed to express it exactly, which aroused ambiguity in meaning.Thought it’s of great importance to adhere to accuracy, when one finds it impossible to be accurate or suddenly is at a loss about expressing something in a exact way, he or she may resort to a vague term to carry on the communication smoothly.e.g. “Oh… in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars. But if it was bought on Fifth Avenue, I shouldn’t be surprised to hear that anything up to thirty thousand was paid it.”(W. Somerset Maugham, Mr. Know-All)In the example above, the expressions like “somewhere round”are vague 1Bertrand Russell, Vagueness, /~crshalizi/Russell/vagueness/, Oct.21 2007reference because the speaker can hardly tell how much and where.By doing so, he was able to let the topic move on in a smooth and natural way.Secondly, accuracy allows no ambiguity, so accurate expression is always grand and direct. On the other hand, vagueness can fulfill a useful function of tactful expression.e.g. “Could you do me a favor?”“Sorry, I simply can’t promise.”In this example, “simply can’t”shows the speaker’s straightforwardness and frankness about refusal. Thus accuracy here conveys his attitude directly towards the other’s request for help.As to the function of vagueness, when one finds it unnecessary or unwise to be very accurate, he or she may make deliberate use of vagueness. In this respect, what people call “tactful expression” are most commonly used.e.g. TV reporter: “Would you mind telling me frankly what do you think of our programs?”One of the audience: “Well, some are interesting, some could be better, and some are almost sort of rubbish.”In this dialogue, although the questioner was evidently trying to get some frank opinions, the answer was full of vague terms like “some…some…and some…”. The reason is that the person questioned didn’t want to hurt the reporter. Instead, he chose a tactful way of vagueness to show his opinion about the programs.Last but not least, accuracy features the function of persuasion while vagueness serves as a device for emphasis.e.g. “You’ll be surprised to hear that Mrs. Ramsay bought that string at a department store the day before we left New York for eighteen dollars.”(W. Somerset Maugham, Mr. Know-All)In this example, the expressions like “the day before we left New York” and “for eighteen dollars”are accurate and exact reference to numbers and time. These definite terms not only show the speaker’s confidence but also add convictive evidence to his speech. In other words, accuracy here strengthens the persuasive power of the speaker.Although vagueness usually blurs the idea, appropriate use of vague expression can help to emphasize expressions.e.g. ThanksThanks a million.In the example above, “a million”are the vague expression. Compared with “Thanks”, “Thanks a million” strongly emphasizes the degree of one’s appreciation. In a word, vague elements can be found in rhetorical figures of hyperbole and understatement to function as emphasis.In conclusion, accuracy focuses on exact, direct and persuasive conveyance of ideas, attitudes and argumentations. Then vagueness speaks highly of smoothness, tact and emphasis in expression and communication. Therefore, both accuracy and vagueness give full play to their functions in communicative rhetoric (exact, direct, smooth and tactful expressions) as well as in aesthetic rhetoric (persuasive power and figure of hyperbole).（注：文档可能无法思考全面，请浏览后下载，供参考。