分析英语中的模糊语言Vague language
英语论文 商务谈判英语中的模糊性语言语用分析
XX科技大学题目Pragmatic Research on Hedge of English inInternational Business Negotiation商务谈判英语中的模糊性语言语用分析姓名院系外国语学院专业英语指导教师2012年5月20日AbstractHedge is the essence of the natural language. As an important component and general phenomenon of language which reflects the objective world and expresses human thoughts, hedge is widely used in various aspects and fields. Up till now, Chinese and foreign researchers have carried out many researches on hedge in language, mainly about the semantics, motives, and discourse analysis. However, there are still few systematic studies on pragmatic significance and positive pragmatic functions of hedge in business conversation which is the main concern of this essay.In section one, this article gives the definitions and the research achievements about hedge home and aboard，then it discriminates some similar definitions. Section two studies the application of hedge to business English. Section three gives pragmatic interpretation on hedge in business English. Section four concentrates on the pragmatic effects of hedge in English for business negotiation.The final part is the conclusion, summarizing the research content, importance and the limitations in the present research.KEY WORDS: hedge; business English negotiation；pragmatic interpretation摘要模糊性是自然语言的属性。
浅谈英语中的模糊语言
浅谈英语中的模糊语言摘要：模糊语言是语言的一种现象，是英语语言中的一个组成部分并广泛存在于口语和书面语中。
本文从模糊的概念出发，通过论述模糊语言的特征、翻译和功能，阐述模糊语言在外交、广告、国际贸易和新闻报道等领域的运用，最后达到顺利完成日常交际的作用。
关键词：模糊语言；英语；运用“模糊”一词在《现代汉语词典》中的解释是表达对象的不确定性，不清楚或不分明。
罗素(Russell)在1923年的《模糊》(“Vagueness”)的文章中把模糊定义为“当用于描述的体系与被描述的体系之间的关系不是一对一，而是多对一时，这个描述就是模糊的”。
模糊语言广义是指语言的模糊性，狭义指具有模糊性的语言单位：模糊词语和模糊结构。
模糊语言的基本特征就是语言上的模糊，此外在语义上也有模糊不确定性和语义上的变异性两个特征。
1模糊语言的翻译翻译是以“信”为要旨，但是由于翻译的情形复杂多变，如果不深刻体会语言这种工具所表达出的意境，加之不能灵活运用语言表达的丰富性来进行语际翻译，而一味地追求字面上的“实”，很可能会陷入“虚”的泥沼中。
模糊语言的翻译方法有以下几种：1.1对等法对等法实际就是一种以模糊对模糊，以精确对精确的翻译方法。
比如：Everybody’s business is nobody’s business，“一个和尚挑水喝，两个和尚抬水喝，三个和尚没水喝。
”英汉两种语言的表达方法各异，当英汉模糊概念表达不一致时，则采用译入语的模糊表达来转译原语的模糊表达。
1.2直译法用一种语言中的模糊语去翻译另一种语言中的模糊语，以保留模糊信息。
比如:Her description of what happenedapproximatedtothetruth，but she still left a fewdetails out.翻译成“她叙述所发生的事近于实情，但尚遗漏了个别细节问题。
”当英语中的模糊信息存在不对称性时，就需要用另一种语言中的非对等词来达语义相同的模糊信息。
商务英语合同中使用模糊语的功能
商务英语合同中使用模糊语的功能Business English contracts often use vague language to protect the interests of both parties. 在商务英语合同中使用模糊语言通常是为了保护双方的利益。
This can be seen as a way to leave room for interpretation and avoid potential disputes. 这可以被看作是为了给予解释的空间，避免潜在的纠纷。
However, this practice can also lead to confusion and miscommunication if not handled properly. 然而，如果不妥善处理，这种做法也可能导致混乱和误解。
It is important for both parties to clearly understand the implications of using vague language in a contract. 双方必须清楚地理解在合同中使用模糊语言的影响。
Failure to do so can result in unforeseen consequences that may harm the business relationship. 如果不这样做，可能会导致意想不到的后果，损害商业关系。
One of the main reasons why vague language is used in business English contracts is to provide flexibility. 使用模糊语言在商务英语合同中的主要原因之一是提供灵活性。
By leaving certain terms open to interpretation, both parties can adapt to changing circumstances without breaching the contract. 通过将某些条款留给解释，双方可以在不违反合同的情况下适应变化的情况。
英汉互译中模糊语言的显化与隐化翻译
Explicitness and Implicitness of V ague Language in Translationbetween English and ChineseI. IntroductionII. A Brief Introduction to V ague language1.The Definition of V ague Language2.Characteristics of V ague language2.1.Subjectivity and Indeterminacy2.2.Agglutination and V ariability3.Classifications of V ague Language3.1. Linguistic V agueness3.1.1 V agueness at the Level of Phonetics3.1.2 V agueness at the Level of Meaning3.1.3 V agueness at the Level of Grammar3.2.Cultural V agueness4. Functions of V ague Language3.3.V agueness and Politeness3.4.V agueness and Humor3.5.V agueness and AestheticsIII. The Strategies of dealing with V ague Language in Translation1.Factors Influencing V ague Language Translation1.1.Properties of Language: Differences Between English and Chinese1.2.Cultural Difference and Cultural Lacuna2.Explicitness in V ague Language Translation2.1.Precision to Precision2.2.V agueness to Precision3.Implicitness in V ague Language Translation3.1.V agueness to V agueness3.2.Precision to V aguenessIV. ConclusionⅠ.IntroductionThe emergence and development of language has experienced a long time, so dose human‟s understanding of language. People‟s research on language has always laid particular stress on “precision”. The more precise, the better. But the reality is usually unsatisfactory. For the absolute precision is very hard to achieve and now people have found there is no absolutely clear things in the world. In our daily communication, the meaning we imparted is sometimes inevitably inadequate or unclear which lead to the misunderstanding of the receiver. Even facing the same thing different people give different views. That is the vagueness of language.Since the publication of fuzzy sets by L.A.zadeh, un expert on automatic control, many disciplines related to vagueness have sprouted up across the world, as J.Channell states :”Interests in vagueness in language use and meaning has arisen in a number of disciplines: literary criticism, linguistics, psychology, philosophy.”(p5) Among them the study on vague language has gained more and more attentions. In China, Vague Linguistics by Wu Tieping, a famous linguist, may be rated as the foundation stone of the study on vague language. In language communication, vague language is not only unavoidable but also necessary. In many cases, it can make language expression more natural and more appropriate. Just as Kant believes:”vague concepts are more expressive than clear concepts…beauty should be something that can not be explained in words. We cannot always convey what we think by words. ”(Wu Tieping p44) thus it can be seen that vague language has its own advantages in communication.Nowadays communications become more frequent between people of different languages and cultural backgrounds. Therefore translation plays an important role in the exchange of information which is bound to involve the study of language. V agueness in language becomes an inevitable and indispensable phenomenon in translation. Now vagueness has no longer been a new term in translation field and it adds much difficulty to the transfer of meaning from the source to the target language for languages is usually not share the same vagueness. The vagueness of language has much to do with culture, politics, economy and other non-linguistic factors.V ague language widely exists in many aspects of our life. More and more translators have explored the strategies of dealing with vague language in translation. In this paper the author presents two methods: explicitation and implicitation after the analysis of vague language.The author attempts to find the effective ways to deal with vague language in translation upon the basis of a brief understanding of vague language in order to offer help to the translation.II. A Brief Introduction to V ague LanguageThe appearance of vagueness can be traced back to the publication of the article Fuzzy Sets by L.A.Zadeh in which he states that the objects in material world have no definite boundaries. The meaning of vagueness has been enriched with the development of science and technology and the expansion of human activity in time and space. Vague language as a branch of the whole findings is the main focus of this chapter.2.1. The Definition of VaguenessAs for the definition of vague language, different scholars or researchers have different answers, for things become different when we look at them from different angles.Peirce, un American famous philosophy and mathematician, is perhaps the first to try to elaborate the notion in a rigorous way. He says:A proposition is vague where there are possible states of things concerningwhich it is intrinsically uncertain whether, had they been contemplated by thespeaker, he would have regarded them as excluded or allowed by theproposition. By intrinsically uncertain we mean not uncertain in consequenceof any ignorance of the interpreter, but because the speaker‟s habits oflanguage were indeterminate. (Channell p7)Another approach to vagueness is found in Deese‟s work which is more psychologically-oriented. He claims that vagueness is not a concept that applies to language but to the meanings which language expresses. That is, it is the meanings that is vague but not the language itself. He says:…that the correspondence between the ideas possessed by two individualswho are in communication on a common topic is rather poor, a conditionwhich we ordinarily do not notice because we seldom make explicit attemptsto validate a communicated idea against the original. When we do, as in thecase of giving directions to someone about how to do something, we aresuddenly made aware of the discrepancy that exists between …the same‟ideain the minds of two different people.(Channell p8)Upon this question, many domestic scholars has also achieved a lot. Mao Ronggui discusses the esthetic effect of vague language in his Translation Esthetics. He regarded vague language as that “the words has indistinct and wide semantic extension. It is not ”.Generally speaking, vagueness refers to such a fact that there are no clear-cut boundaries between two concepts. It isn‟t a bad thing, far from it, vagueness and precision are, like the two sides of a coin, essential part of language system.2.2. Characteristics of vague languageV agueness is an inherent nature of language. After knowing its definition, it is still unclear that how to judge whether a word is vague or not. So it is meaningful for us to discuss the characteristics of vague language, such as subjectivity, indeterminacy, agglutination and variability, to name a few of them.2.2.1. Subjectivity and IndeterminacyWe all know that opinions vary from person to person. When we describe something or express our views vague language appears. Different experiences and outlooks make everyone see things differently, so the denotation of vague language varies according to his/her own way of understanding. For example, we each have different views on what kind of women is beautiful. When facing the same woman, someone may think she is beautiful while others do not which is resulted from the subjectivity of the word “beautiful”. The reasons of the discrepancy of the comprehension of the same concept lie in different experiences and background.The indeterminacy of vague language refers to the uncertain membership of some cases. Some words are vague when we talk about color words. For instance, everybody knows that the leaves are green in summer and turn yellow gradually in autumn. But if we take one leaf in early autumn it is not easy to tell whether the leaf is green or yellow. It may be a bit green with some sort of a yellow color. So we usually hear such vague words as yellowish green. Another case is that the explanation given by dictionary is thick yellowish white liquor floated on the milk. From the word “yellowish white”we can see the cream may be white with somewhat yellow. In reality, the color words are not clearly divided as the color in spectrum.2.2.2. Agglutination and V ariabilityThe agglutination of vague language means that some vague language is a continuum and there are no clear-cut dividing lines between them. This feature can find its best expression in vague language indicating space or time. Time and space are actually continuums without fixed and unchangeable boundaries to divide them. Each language can divide them according to its own structure. When we talk about time in our daily life, we say morning, afternoon, evening or night. But there are no well-defined borders among them. Although the central area is clear, the peripheral area is vague. Since they happen one after another, sometimes we cannot tell which period we are in, because they often overlap.The variability of vague language refers to two aspects. Firstly, vague language is not always vague. In some cases, it may assume an accurate meaning. V ague words can become precise ones by collocating with other words. For example, the word “long”is vague. There are no rules telling that how long can be regarded as “long”. But it is precise in “long wave”whose wavelength is from 1000m to 10000m in physics. Many terms, although literally vague, are accurate when used in certain field of study. Colors, like red, orange, yellow without distinct boundaries, are prescribed strictly by scientists, namely, red ranges from 6200 to 7000 angstrom, orange from 5920 to 6200, and yellow between 5780 and 5920. From above examples we can see that in academic field it is necessary to define a term rigorously while in our daily life it‟s enough to use them in their vague sense. Secondly, it means the range a vague category covers may vary. The scope of a vague category is either enlarged or narrowed. Generally speaking, this kind of variability comes from some factors such as gender, culture and social status. Let‟s take “night”for example; the scope of night varies as the season changes. That period is long in winter and short in summer. Many words share the same characteristics. A big rat is much smaller than a small elephant. As we can see, the scope of these kinds of vague words changes in consistent with thecontext they are in. There are two people. One is from New Y ork; the other comes from a small village. They are likely to have different ideas on “tall building”. A large number of skyscrapers are found in New Y ork. They may take a building with 40 stories as a tall one, while a building with 10 floors is considered tall for a people from a small village. This situation should be taken into account when we do translation work. For many difficulties in translation originate in the great gap of social difference.Of all the characteristics we have talked about, the indeterminacy is the most prominent one.2.3. Classifications of Vague LanguageThe classification of vague language is helpful for both its study and its translation. But in this matter the scholars didn‟t reach an agreement as its definition does. Some researchers classify it from different levels of language, some others according to the part of speech.Some linguists divide vague language into three parts: vague additives, vagueness by choice of vague words, vagueness by implicative.(具体见翻译的模糊性及翻译中的模糊处理论文) (Channell, 1999: 18) Zhang Qiao, a famous linguist in our country, also thinks that vague language has many types under different classified method. According to the part of speech, there are vague nouns(say past, present, future), vague adjectives(say beautiful, healthy, red) and vague quantifiers(say several, some, a lot of); according to the extension of vague language, there are vague words with indefinite top limit(e.g. a short person, a young person, cold water), vague words with indefinite lower limit(e.g. a tall person, an old people, hot water) and vague words with both indefinite top and indefinite lower limit(e.g. a middle sized person, a middle aged person, warm water).In this paper we‟ll discuss the types of vague language at the linguistic level.2.3.1. Linguistic Vagueness2.3.1.1. V agueness at the Level of PhoneticsThe effect of this kind of vagueness often comes from homophony or hearing delusion. It usually appears in the pun to achieve the intended humor. For example: The professor tapped on his desk and shouted:”Young men, Order!”—the entire class yelled:” Beer!”Translation: 教授敲击桌子喊道：你们这些年轻人吆喝（要喝）什么？学生：啤酒。
浅谈英语中的模糊语言
浅谈英语中的模糊语言摘要：模糊语言是语言的一种现象，是英语语言中的一个组成部分并广泛存在于口语和书面语中。
本文从模糊的概念出发，通过论述模糊语言的特征、翻译和功能，阐述模糊语言在外交、广告、国际贸易和新闻报道等领域的运用，最后达到顺利完成日常交际的作用。
关键词：模糊语言；英语；运用“模糊”一词在《现代汉语词典》中的解释是表达对象的不确定性，不清楚或不分明。
罗素(Russell)在1923年的《模糊》(“Vagueness”)的文章中把模糊定义为“当用于描述的体系与被描述的体系之间的关系不是一对一，而是多对一时，这个描述就是模糊的”。
模糊语言广义是指语言的模糊性，狭义指具有模糊性的语言单位：模糊词语和模糊结构。
模糊语言的基本特征就是语言上的模糊，此外在语义上也有模糊不确定性和语义上的变异性两个特征。
1模糊语言的翻译翻译是以“信”为要旨，但是由于翻译的情形复杂多变，如果不深刻体会语言这种工具所表达出的意境，加之不能灵活运用语言表达的丰富性来进行语际翻译，而一味地追求字面上的“实”，很可能会陷入“虚”的泥沼中。
模糊语言的翻译方法有以下几种：1.1对等法对等法实际就是一种以模糊对模糊，以精确对精确的翻译方法。
比如：Everybody’s business is nobody’s business，“一个和尚挑水喝，两个和尚抬水喝，三个和尚没水喝。
”英汉两种语言的表达方法各异，当英汉模糊概念表达不一致时，则采用译入语的模糊表达来转译原语的模糊表达。
1.2直译法用一种语言中的模糊语去翻译另一种语言中的模糊语，以保留模糊信息。
比如:Her description of what happenedapproximatedtothetruth，but she still left a fewdetails out.翻译成“她叙述所发生的事近于实情，但尚遗漏了个别细节问题。
”当英语中的模糊信息存在不对称性时，就需要用另一种语言中的非对等词来达语义相同的模糊信息。
浅谈模糊语
浅谈模糊语摘要：模糊语言是一种广泛存在于人类语言交际中的语言现象，是语言的基本特征。
交际中模糊语言的使用是语言选择和顺应的结果。
模糊语言的理解对语境具有很强的依赖性。
因此，使用和理解模糊语言，都离不开具体的语境。
关键词：模糊语顺应论语境一、模糊语言的含义及分类在交际中，当人们不能或不愿表达准确的信息时，都要使用模糊语言。
在英语中，模糊语被称为“fuzzy language”或“vague language”。
L.A.Zadeh(1965)认为“概念不确定性是模糊语言的实质，这种不确定性具体表现为所指范畴界限的模糊，量的不确定，情感态度的模棱等方面。
”Channel(2000)在Vague Language 中明确指出：“语言运用中出现的歧义，含混表达的不确切现象都是属于模糊语言范围。
”根据模糊语言的定义，模糊语可被分为语义模糊、自然模糊和语用模糊。
语义模糊是指词语意义本身模糊的情况。
如“高”“矮”的语义就是个模糊概念，多高为高，多矮为矮，不同的情况评判标准不一。
自然模糊是指人们认识、描述或还原现实世界时表现出的模糊状态。
一般情况下，人们在表达事件时往往趋大不趋小，趋泛不趋精，选择的时空范围比较宽泛模糊。
语用模糊是指发话人为达到某种交际目的而又意识地使用模糊语言。
如一位家长对他的孩子说“Someone’s eaten the icing off the cake.”发话人清楚是谁吃了蛋糕上的奶油，但没直接责备，而是用了模糊的不定代词someone，以维护孩子的面子。
语用模糊是建立在语义模糊和自然模糊基础之上的。
二、模糊语言的产生Verschueren(1999) 在《语用学新解》中提出了颇有影响的语言顺应论。
顺应论有两个主要的论述：（1）使用语言的过程就是选择语言的过程；（2）语言使用就要从语境、语言结构等方面，动态地根据不同的心理意识程度而做出的某种顺应。
交际中语言的使用是一个连续的选择过程，不管这种选择是有意识的还是无意识的，也不管它是处于语言内部还是语言外部的原因。
模糊语言简介
摘要：模糊性是人类语言的基本属性之一，商务语言的模糊性及其语用功能在实际商务交际中非常重要。
探讨商务英语中的模糊语言现象及其语用功能，以期恰当运用模糊语言，从而达到更好的商务交际效果。
本文对商务英语中模糊语的语用功能进行分析，作者希望能够给读者提供一些启示。
关键词：模糊语言;商务英语;语用功能1 模糊语言的概述传统语言学的基本准则要求语言表达清楚、正确。
但是由于客观实体边界的不明确性，人们对事物观察的不同角度或缺乏全面的认识，导致语言使用的不一致性，从而使模糊的语言形式成为一种必然的存在。
长期以来模糊语言未受到应有的重视，直到1965 年美国科学家L. Zadeh 在其论文《模糊集合》(Fuzzy Set) 中, 引入“隶属函数”这个概念, 用于描述差异的中间过渡, 首次成功地运用数学方法描述模糊词项, 标志着模糊理论的诞生。
随后, 语言学家和语言哲学家运用该理论从语义、认知、语用等方面来研究语言的模糊性, 取得丰硕成果, 从而逐渐形成了一门新的边缘学科——模糊语言学。
模糊语言理论对语言中许多模糊现象有着很强的解释力, 为我们提供了一条描述、研究语言的新途径, 其研究成果大大丰富了我们对语言的本质及语言使用的认识, 也给我们正确认识当前外语教学中的模糊概念、有效解决外语教学中的一些难点问题以及培养学生的交际能力等方面带来很多有益的启示。
札德认为：“模糊性所涉及的不是一个点属于集合的不确定性，而是从属于到不属于的变化过程的渐进性”。
MaxBlack认为：“语词的模糊性就表现在它有一个应用的有限区域，但这个区域的界限是不明确的”。
Lakoff 则把作为模糊语言重要组成部分的模糊限制语（hedges）释义为“把事物弄得模模糊糊的词语”，是语言中最普遍、典型的模糊语言。
这些对语言模糊性定义的解释，仁者见仁，智者见智。
但是不管怎样，人们已通过这些定义对模糊语言的形成有了一总的认识与了解。
查德对模糊语言的本质更深刻地指出：“人的大部分知觉过程和思维过程都浸透着模糊性。
浅析商务英语中的模糊语言
浅析商务英语中的模糊语言摘要：模糊性，就是人们认识中关于对象类属边界和性态的不确定性，它是自然语言的一种本质属性。
本文结合会话合作原则分析了商务英语中的模糊语言现象及其语用功能，阐明了模糊语言在商务英语中的运用具有提高商务英语的客观标准性，增强商务英语的机动灵活性，使表达含蓄婉转、礼貌幽默等作用，目的在于使人们更好地利用语言进行商务交际。
关键词：商务英语，模糊语言，语用功能，作用。
一、引言模糊性是自然语言的一种本质属性。
所谓模糊性，就是人们认识中关于对象类属边界和性态的不确定性。
客观世界的事物中，绝大多数没有一个精确的界限，有些事物的含义甚至相当模糊。
没有模糊语言，纯粹由精确语言组成的世界必然是呆板、苍白、无味的。
美国控制论专家、模糊理论创始人L. Zadeh（札德）在1965年《信息和控制》杂志上发表的一篇题为“模糊集”(fuzzy sets)的文章中指出：在现实物质世界中所遇到的客体，经常没有精确规定的界限……这种不能精确划定范围的“类别”，在人的思维中，特别是在模式识别、信息传递和抽象中都起着很重要的作用。
语言是思维的载体，因此，人类的自然语言深深地打上了“模糊”的烙印。
J. Channell指出，模糊词语是为语言交际而特意选择的，使用模糊语言的背后有许多动机。
语义学家沙夫说：“交际需要语句的模糊性，这听起来似乎是奇怪的。
但是如果我们通过约定的方法消除了语词的模糊性，我们就会使语言变得贫乏，使它的交际和表达作用受到限制，结果摧毁了语言的目的，人的交际就很难进行，因为我们用以互相交际的那种工具遭到了损害”。
这就充分说明了模糊语言在交际中的重要性。
强调交际中语言运用的准确性，决不意味着忽略人类语言的另一个重要特征——模糊性。
国际商务英语中不仅存在着精确和模糊两种语言，更因在不同语境中的需求而充分显示模糊语言的多种语用功能。
国际商务英语要求具体简洁、清楚正确，而模糊语言的适当使用，会显得更严谨、准确、礼貌、得体。
浅析英语模糊语
浅析英语模糊语作者：甘露来源：《文学教育·中旬版》2017年第06期内容摘要：模糊语言广泛地存在于日常言语交际中，了解英语模糊语能提高英语交际能力。
本文简述了模糊语的定义，并结合实例对模糊语的类型和语用功能进行了分析和论述。
关键词：模糊英语模糊语语用功能语言是人类用于交际的工具，传统修辞学理论往往强调语言的清晰和准确，认为只有使用准确的语言才能使人们的交流更加高效。
然而，在实际的语言使用过程中，人们往往频繁地使用模糊的语言进行表达。
可见，模糊语是语言交际的一个重要方面。
因此，本文试图通过对英语模糊语进行分析，以便帮助英语学习者在交际中更好地了解及使用模糊语。
一.模糊语的定义随着模糊语受到越来越多的关注和研究，学者们也试图给模糊语一个全面准确的定义。
英国语言学家Channell指出某一语言表达法是模糊的，如果：1.该语言表达法与另一能够表达同样意义的语言表达形成对照；2.该语言表达法是故意并且有目的的含糊其辞；3.该语言表达法的意义出于其本身固有的不确定性。
（Channell， 2000：20）模糊性是语言的自然属性，语义和词义模糊在语言中都是客观存在的。
语言的模糊性是人们对客观事物认识的结果。
客观事物是多种多样且不断处在发展变化中的，而人们的阶段认知能力却是相对有限的。
人们用有限的词汇来描述多重的概念，这就不可避免地出现模糊语言。
二.模糊语的语言形式在语言使用中，人们有时候故意选用模糊词制造特殊的表达效果。
英语模糊语的语言形式主要表现在以下两个方面：1.词汇的模糊性（1）模糊量词。
英语中很多量词的意义很模糊，只能提供一个大概的数量概念。
如：用a lot of， an amount of， a number of 来表示数量多；用a few of， a touch of来表示相对“少”的概念。
（2）具有模糊意义的代词。
如“that，this”，I hope that things can go on like that. 在这个句子中，that的指代模糊。
分析英语中的模糊语言Vaguelanguage
分析英语中的模糊语⾔VaguelanguageVague languageWho speaks of vagueness should himself be vague. ----Bertrand Russell Vague language is a language that talks about something without directly saying what it is.A representation is vague when the relation of the representing system to the represented system is not one-one, but one-many.（当⽤于描述的体系与被描述的体系之间的关系不是⼀对⼀，⽽是多对⼀时，这个描述就是模糊的。
）----Vagueness, Bertrand Russell, 1928Vague word1 Words with a similar meaning（意义相近的词）: thread, string, cord, rope They all have the meaning “线，绳⼦”. But there is no clear line between them. We can’t tell how thick can be called “rope”, and how thin can be called “string”.2 Words with a different meaning（反义词）: big, smallThey are a pair of antonyms, but the limit between them is changeable. For example, “a big track” and “a small plane” have a different criterion towards “big” and “small”.3 Words with several meanings（⼀词多义）: bank“The post office is by the bank.” This sentence can be translated into“邮局在岸边”or“邮局在银⾏边上”.Another example: notebook（笔记本；笔记本电脑）Vague sentence structure（可做表格）1 Possessive case（所有格）John’s book: John买的书or John写的书2 Parallel structures（并列结构）I left it either on the table or in the drawer.地点不明确3 Modal verb（情态动词）He should be in his room, for nobody saw him left.他应该在房间⾥。
模糊语言在英语教学中的语用功能探讨
模糊语言在英语教学中的语用功能探讨模糊语言在英语教学中的语用功能探讨你知道模糊语言在英语教学中的语用功能吗，为大家了一篇论文，大家快来看看吧。
查德认为：“模糊性所涉及的不是一个点属于集合的不确定性，而是附属于到不属于的变化过程的渐进性”。
查德对模糊语言的本质更深刻地指出：“人的大局部知觉过程和思维过程都浸透着模糊性。
语言对本质而言是模糊的，因为这种描写通常是对复杂情况的概括的描写”。
语言本身是非量化的模糊集合，具有非物质形态的和非直观的朦胧特性。
语言的模糊性信息作为这种非定量模糊集合的要素，正是语言的模糊性在人们交际中的表达形式，而得到语言使用者的普遍认同与承受。
英国语言学家Leech认为，语用模糊，就是谈话话语的这种不确定性，使话语的言外之力不明确的带有动机，是为了交际双方的共同利益。
交际双方均可以再谈话中使用语用模糊的话语来到达自身的交际目的或意图。
看似简单的模糊限制语，却在不同语境中具有不同的语用功能，表达了说话人或作者的意图。
Grice认为，人们在所有的语言交际活动中都遵守会话合作原那么，即每一个交谈参与者在整个交谈过程中所说的话符合这一次交谈的目标或方向。
这条根本原那么详细表达为四条准那么：数量准那么、质量准那么、关联准那么和方式准那么。
在英语教学中，我们可能会遇到各种各样的涉及到模糊语的情况，这会收到意想不到的教学效果，也能激发学生的积极性。
在语言教学中，大量的模糊语的运用可以使话语的真实程度、涉段范围做出修正，也可以说明说话人对话语内容所作的直接主观推测或者提出客观根据，对话语做出间接评估，从而到达表达委婉的修辞效果。
由于研究的角度和方法不同，对模糊词语的分类也不尽相同。
E.F.Prince等人从语用角度把模糊限制语(shields)分为四类，程度变动语如： in general/On the whole(总的说来)、actually/practically(实际上)等;范围变动语如：about/approximately(大约)、basically fundamentaUy(根本上)、nearly/almost(差不多)等;直接缓和语如：Ithink/presume/believe/suppose/guess(我认为、相信、猜测)、It seems that(似乎)等; 间接缓和语如：It is said (据说、估计)、It’s well-known/people say(众所周知、有人说)等。
英语新闻中模糊语言的语用分析【文献综述】
文献综述英语英语新闻中模糊语言的语用分析一、前言部分（说明写作的目的，介绍有关概念，扼要说明有关主题争论焦点）“模糊”在过去指表示消极方面的，《现代汉语字典》对“模糊”一词的解释是这样的：“不分明；不清楚。
混淆。
”比如字迹模糊，神志模糊等，而英语中有很多词可以用来表示模糊的意思，例如blur、obscure、vague、fuzzy等，a vague answer, a fuzzy picture等都是表示模糊意思的。
由此看来，“模糊”一词已不再是作为消极词使用，而是作为中性的概念的术语逐渐地被人们认可和使用。
美国加利福尼亚大大学电子工程和计算机系的控制论专家L·A·Zadeh（查德）在他的论文《模糊集》（Fuzzy Sets）“选择“Fuzzy”作为表达科学概念的术语，提出了‘模糊集’的概念。
”（黎千驹 2007:11）从此“模糊”就成为一个专业的科学术语被人们广泛地运用着。
而查德所谓的语言的模糊性，“实际上指概念外延的边界的不明晰性，而概念又是通过词语来表达的，因此人们通常所说的模糊语言，只是就表达模糊概念的词语而言。
”（黎千驹 2007:27）但事实上这样并没有很明确地说模糊语言的定义到底是什么。
在实际生活中，模糊语言又被分为狭义的和广义的，本来语言就具有三要素：语音、词汇和语法，所以语言的模糊性自然也就具有这些要素，所以模糊语言学也可以细分来更好地了解模糊语言。
当前在很多英语新闻报道中发现也有很多模糊性的词语出现，比如“more than”、“about”等这几个词从它们本身的意思上来就看就具有不确定性，表示大概的一个数目。
新闻本身就具有准确、灵活、客观、及时的特点，但是新闻可以运用语言的模糊性去描述一件事情来体现那则新闻的清晰性，揭示作者所要表达的真实想法。
不要因为新闻的哪些特点，就认为使用模糊语言来报道新闻是大大错误的。
其实不然。
新闻固然要讲究客观公正性，但是难免作者在报道事件的时候无意识地添加逐渐的感情色彩进去，使得新闻的报道带有倾向性。
浅析商务英语中模糊语言的语用功能
浅析商务英语中模糊语言的语用功能作者：王斌来源：《商情》2013年第42期【Abstract】Vagueness is one of the fundamental features of language， which is widely used in human communication. Vague language in Business English and its pragmatic functions are of paramount significance in actual business communications. To use vague language appropriately and reasonably creates positive pragmatic effects， which can make business communication more appropriate， more accurate， more flexible， more courteous and more vivid， so as to realize the business communication purposes and to achieve better business communication effects. With an analysis of the pragmatic functions in Business English，it‟s in the hope that it will help readers and business people involved better understand vague language， therefore to use vague language with appropriateness， flexibility and effectiveness.【Key words】Business English； Business Communication； Vague Language； Pragmatic Functions1. IntroductionVagueness is a constitutive feature of natural language and is also a universal phenomenon in the real world and human cognition. Business English is thought to be clear and concrete， but vague language is frequently used in Business English， which plays an important and irreplaceable role in daily communication for reflecting the objective world and expressing human thoughts. Daitz （1956） declares that without vagueness， there could be no effective communication. However，due attention hasn‟t been paid to vague language and its pragmatic functi ons compared to other fields like political discourse， literary works and news reports. With the rapid development of international trade and business communication， a systematic analysis of vague language in Business English is needed. Pragmatics does not confine itself to merely describing how people use language， but also concerns itself with how to help them become better users （Mey， 1994）. It is a new approach to study vague language and its pragmatic functions in the framework of pragmatics.2. DefinitionPeople have started comprehensive study of vague language since American scientist Zadeh proposed the technical term fuzziness in his paper on fuzzy mathematics in l965. However， even up till now， there has been no generally accepted d efinition of the term “vague language”. Due to the term “vagueness” is itself rather vague； many definitions have been given in the past researches.Crystal （1991） proposes that fuzziness refers to the indeterminacy involved in the analysis of a linguistic unit or pattern. C.S. Pierce （1902）， the originator of the notion of vagueness in language provides us with this paragraph：A proposition is vague when there are possible states of things concerning which it is intrinsically uncertain whether， had they been contemplated by the addressor， he would have regarded them as excluded or allowed by the proposition. By …intrinsically uncertain‟ we mean not uncertain in consequence of any ignorance of the interpreter，but because the addressor‟s habi ts of language were indeterminate； so that one day he would regard the proposition as excluding， another as admitting， those states of things. Yet this must be understood to have reference to what might be deduced from a perfect knowledge of his state of mind； for it is precisely because these questions never did， or did not frequently，present themselves that his habit remained indeterminate.” （Pierce， 1902： 748）Channell （2000：20） defined that an expression or word is vague if it can be contrasted with another word or expression which appears to render the same proposition；it is …purposely or unabashedly vague‟；its meaning arises from the …intrinsic uncertainty‟ referred by Pierce.In this paper， the author is going to define vague langua ge mainly based on Channell‟s definition. An expression is vague， if it cannot generate any definite meaning. It is intentionally and unabashedly vague to be used to achieve certain communicative intentions.3. Classifications of Vague LanguageVague language in this paper is divided into three categories： vague additives， vague words and expressions and vagueness by implicature or by some specific sentence patterns. This kind of classification is based on the definitions by Channell （2000：18） and Zhang Qiao.3.1 Vague additivesAdditive in Channell‟s theory is equal to hedge， shield or approximator. In this case， a word or phrase is added to what would otherwise be a precise statement， or to result in a vague reading. These words have the inherent vague connotation： maybe， probably， possibly， like， around，approximately， generally， kind of， sort of etc. For instance：（1） I agree to a certain extent if the improvement will be made.Here， the addressor does not directly express to what degree the agreement is made by to a certain extent； thus withhold commitment to the proposition.（2） The inferior quality is due to the deficiency of nitrogen content， which decreases by approximately 10% compared with the last lot.Here，the approximator “approximately” is added to the exact number so that the precise number is made vague.3.2 Vague words and expressionsVague words make hardly any sense in semantic aspect， but to substitute a noun or a name，i.e. placeholders for a noun or a name. The typical examples are： thingy， thingummy，thingummyjig， thingummabob， whatsisname， whatnot， and whatsit. All the meanings they possess are pragmatic due to the fact that the addressor uses them when they do not know the noun or name or even are not willing to utter the noun or name. For example：（3） I mean him or whatsisname，that businessman…Placeholder …whatsisname‟ is used here probably because the addressor in fact does not know the name or the addressor is not willing to mention the name of that businessman.3.3 Vagueness by implicature or by some specific sentence patternsAs proposed by Lakoff （1972）， this type of vagueness implies more than one ways to comprehend a single apparent precise sentence， thus vague connotations are coming into being，and typical examples are：（4） According to our records， you have not yet settled your account for electronic equipment supplied to you on 10th December and 20th January this year.This is an apparently precise sentence where nobody knows the exact meaning of “our records”. Other sentence patterns like “it is said that…”，“I think that…”，“I am afraid that…”，…'it is possible that…” etc. also contain vagueness.4. Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Business EnglishThe appropriate use of vagueness in language for special purpose will bring beneficial and positive effects. Joanna Channell（2000：194） summarized the pragmatic functions of vagueness into ten categories： 1. giving the right amount of information； 2. deliberately withholding information； 3. using language persuasively； 4. lexical gaps； 5. lacking specific information； 6. displacement； 7. self-protection； 8. power and politeness； 9. informality and atmosphere；10.women‟s language.According to Brown and Levinson （1987）， the pragmatic functions of vague expressions are：Addressers could suggest or criticize by using quality hedges in order to get rid of or emphasize a part of responsibility.Addressers could complain or request politely by using quantity hedges.Addressers could offer help or recommend by using relation hedges.Addressers could decorate sorts of face-threatening expressions by using manner hedges. （Brown & Levinson， 1987）Communication in business environment requires not only clear and courteous language， but also vague language. Exactly speaking， functions of vague langue vary with situations and purposes. In this paper，by referring to Channell‟s ten points of pragmatic functions of vague language and combining them with Business English， the following points are summarized to illustrate and explain the pragmatic functions of vague language in Business English.4.1 Improving the appropriateness of language expressionAppropriateness is beneficial for successful human communication， especially for business communication in which a different business settlement will occur if business language is not appropriate enough. Sometimes， vague language can facilitate the appropriateness of language expression to some extent.（5） It is our practice when we open new accounts to obtain at least two trade references.What is the actual content of “our practice”？ Even whether it exists or not will never be known by the addressee for the so-called “practice” is merely an excuse to avoid offence.（6） In general， we would allow discount for large and regular orders.The hedge “in general” is used to make the above statement more objective and suitable. If it is removed out of the sentence， the statement will be too absolute and demanding which is not appropriate in business communication. Also，“large and regular” implies vague meaning.4.2 Being politePoliteness concerns human communicative behavior， and the core of politeness is showing or appearing to show consideration of others. Channell （1994：190） also said：“Vagueness is used as one way of adhering to the politeness rules for a particular culture and of not threatening face.” For instance：（7） We have already checked all the documents available， and unexpectedly find each of them has doubtful points more or less.From the above sentence， we can see that the speaker is stating an unsatisfactory result of their checking work. However，with the use of vague terms like “unexpectedly” and “more or less”， the speaker has made the statement quite polite， indirect and euphemistic， so as not to make the hearer feel awkward or embarrassed.（8） A：I'm afraid that the proposal you put forward just now isn‟t up too much.B： Your presentation makes me feel a little too--you know what I mean.Here， vague terms like：I‟m afraid”，“too much”，“a little” and “you know what I mean” sound euphemistic and implicit， thus making the expression more polite and more decent.4.3 Improving the efficiencyGogue （1979：36） once said，“The indefiniteness in expression is not always a bad thing.”Zhang Qiao （1998：115） thinks that vague language can vividly reflect the changeability of the real world and the complexity of personal feelings. The indeterminacy of language could enable the speaker to use fewer words but transfer enough information to the listener.（9） Meanwhile， we can assure you of reasonable prices， excellent quality and prompt delivery.Here，words like “reasonable” “excellent” “prompt” are all vague adjectives. We do not know how reasonable the prices are， how excellent the quality is and how prompt the delivery can be. However， with vague terms， this sentence does convey certain information and will leave favorable impression on the listeners or customers.（10）“Ask for More”（11） Romantic Mysterious Italian.Example （10）is an advertisement of a brand of cigarette called “More” which uses the vague word “more”， also a pun， has achieved humorous effect and left deep and positive impression on the customers， therefore making the ad vivid and effective. Example （11） also use three vague adjectives “Romantic”，“Mysterious” and “Italian” to achieve certain effect： transferring as much information as possible and leaving the reader and buyer to deep and endless imagination.4.4 Establishing self-protectionSince business communication is interests-involved and interests-driven， any absolute and extreme statement may put the addresser in trouble if he is proved wrong some day. Vague language therefore maybe used as a safeguard against being wrong. Speakers may use vague expressions toprotect themselves against the possibility of being wrong. The appropriate and skillful use of vague language can reduce the level of shouldering the responsibility. For example：（12） This product may be of magic in the temporary relief of some of the symptoms commonly associated with frozen-shoulder.Here，by adopting vague terms like “may be”，“some of”， the advertisers can avoid unnecessary troubles， disputes， inconveniences or even legal suits.（13） A： We hope that the goods will arrive earlier.B： We know that you are in urgent need of these goods since the season is approaching. Considering this， we will try our best to persuade our manufactures to rearrange their production plan and manage to make earlier shipment.A asks for the delivery ahead of schedule whileB neither refus-s abruptly nor consents blindly because of the incertitude. The reply with vague language such as “try our best” and “earlier shipment” leaves space for B and it is a good way of self-protection in business context. The following is also a case in point.（14） Due to the delay of the L/C arrival at us， we may not effect the shipment in time. We will do our utmost to dispatch the goods as soon as possible.4.5 Enhancing the flexibilityThe world is constantly changing and developing， which refue-es quires the language to be flexible so as to fit the world. In busine-ss communication， people tend to use vague language to enhance flexibility in business activities.（15） A： That is my proposal，uh…and what‟s your opinion？B： I agree in principle， but I would like to add something more sometime later.What kind of agreement is on the degree of “in principle”， and what will B add to the proposal and when is the exact time？ A has no ways to know the exact answers. However， as for B， the given information is enough and thus leaves him both time and space to take further measures and actions.（16） A： What about the price？B： The given quotation is subject to changes of the market.In this example，vague term like “subject to changes of the mar-ket” make the offer fluctuate with the market but not f ixed at a part-icular price， thus flexibility being enhanced. Another example：（17） In most cases， our terms of payment are made by confir-med， irrevocable L/C available by draft at sight.4.6 Improving the persuasivenessAs Channell （2000） summarizes， one of the purposes of using vague language is to use language persuasively. The tactful applica-tion of vague language can lessen the strength of imposition， so that the utterances will sound more acceptable.（18） I'm sure you will find our price most favorable. In the lat-est two months， prices for artificial latex have gone up tremendously. You can go to investigate the quoted price given by others. Howev-er，our prices haven‟t cha nged much.Vague expressions like “most favorable”，“tremendously”，“others” and “haven‟t changed much” add persuasiveness to the ad-dresser and will bring more clear thoughts into the addressee‟s mind.（19） Then you can look forward to healthier，brighter and more attractive teeth than you‟ve ever had before.In this example，the seller applies the vague expressions “healthier”，“brighter” and “more attractive” to reinforce the superi-ority of his product so as to persuade the addressee to place an order.4.7 Enhancing language vividness and charmAs vague language is not definite， sometimes using vague language will add vividness and charm to the language expression therefore leave deep impression and will let people to imagine freely and wildly.（20） Seriously smooth， mysteriously mellow， gloriously golden， who can resist the magic of Camus XO Cognac？The continuous use of vague adverbs “Seriously” “mysterious-ly” “gloriously” and vague adjectives “smooth” “mellow” “golden” make the advertisement of XO very vivid and appealing. It seems that people just can‟t resist the charm and temptation of XO. And with the use of vague language， this ad will definitely be very effec-tive and will attract a lot of potential customers.4.8 Creating a harmonious atmosphereInvolved in the interest-oriented activity of commerce， both of the two parties manage to pursue a harmonious atmosphere and agre-eable business environment in order to make profits and achieve win-win results. Therefore，vague language is chosen to mitigate the potential conflict， create a pleasant atmosphere and build a close re-lationship between the participants. For instance：（21） A： To be frank with you， $240 is a fairly high price for your materials， and I am afraid it is hard for me to make it higher.B： I can understand that and I hope we have more chances to sit here later in future.In this example， both sides are striving for a harmonious atmo-sphere. A uses “fairly high” and “I am afraid” to soften the impact bringing by his complaint about the high price. Then， to implicitly express the refusal of lowering the price， B leaves enough space for cooperation with each other in the future by saying “have more chances to sit here.” B‟s words also show his or her understanding and sincerity.Let‟s see one more example.（22） A： If that's the case， there is hardly any need for further discussion； we might as well call the whole off.B：What I mean is that we‟ll never be able to come down to the price you ask. The gap is too great. Well， in order to get business， we are quite willing to make some concessions.5. ConclusionThis paper focuses attention on pragmatic analysis of vague lan-guage in Business English， which is indeed of great pragmatic value and practical value. Appropriate use of vague language in Business English will reinforce and effectively promote the success of busine-ss transactions and business activities. Therefore， a good knowledge of vague language and its pragmatic functions will help the English learners and users， particularly business people in the business fields to understand and use vague language more tactfully， efficiently， ap-propriately and effectively， thus to make business communication more appropriate， more flexible， more courteous， more persuasive， more vivid and more harmonious， and finally to achieve desired business communication effects and results.References：[1] Daitz， E. The picture theory of meaning， in Flew， A. （ed）. [C]. Essays in Conceptual Analysis. London： Macmillan， 1956.[2] Mey， J. L. How to Do Good Things with Words： a Social Pragmatics for Survival [J]. Pragmatics： Psychology. London： Macmillan， 1994.[3] Zadeh， L. A. Fuzzy Sets [J]. Information and Control， 1965（8）： 335-338.。
分析英语模糊语言的文学表现功能
分析英语模糊语言的文学表现功能作者：谭静来源：《外语学法教法研究》2014年第06期【摘要】模糊语言（vagueness）是自然语言的一种普遍现象和必然属性，客观事物本身的模糊性以及人们对客观事物认识的不确定性决定了语言的模糊性特征，模糊语言具有丰富的表现力和感染力，在英美文学作品中得到了极其广泛的应用，因为作者能够通过委婉、双关以及暗示等手法，创造某种意境，表达某种情感，提高其文学作品的审美价值，具有独特的文学表现功能。
【关键词】英语模糊语言文学表现功能【中图分类号】H31 【文献标识码】A 【文章编号】2095-3089（2014）06-0052-01一、英美文学作品中的英语模糊语言英语文学作品需要运用大量的模糊语言，也就是说出现在文学作品中的模糊语言是一种艺术性的模糊语言，更好地实现了其语言文学的表现功能。
英语语言的模糊性主要体现在其语言单位和由语言单位组成的结构中，比如“perhaps”、“probably”、“somehow”“a couple of”、“lots of”、“more or less”等英语单词或英语短语都属于英语语言的模糊表达；在一些英语文学作品中，模糊语言也经常被拿来使用，不但没有影响其主旨的表达，还提高了文学作品的审美价值，比如《哈姆雷特》中的名句“to be or not to be”就是一个典型的运用模糊语言的具体例子，读者对这句话的理解和欣赏从来没有过一个明确统一的定论。
海明威的名著《a farewell to arms》，题目本身中的arms就是一种双关语，它指的是“武器”还是“胳臂”或者两者兼而有之，至今也没有确定的概念，这也是一种模糊语言的范例。
二、英语模糊语言的文学表现功能（一）创造独特意境英语文学作品特别是诗歌、散文中的文学语言，并非一种对具体事务的客观说明，而是为了表达文学意象，而创造出一种独特的意境，使文学作品的内涵超越现实存在，实现“意在意外、情在辞外”的表达效果，模糊修饰语就具有这种作用，通过在文学作品中创造独特意境，表达出其生动、形象的语言魅力。
商务英语语境中模糊语言的交际意图分析
商务英语语境中模糊语言的交际意图分析杜碧辉【摘要】Vague language is used frequently in the people’s communication w hich affects the com-municative effects .The application of vague language is restricted by certain context .The paper analy-zes the communicative intention of vague language in business context through the interpretation of vague language and context .%模糊语在人们的交际中使用频繁，影响着交际的效果。
在交际中模糊语言的使用，受到一定的语境影响和制约。
本文通过对模糊语言以及语境的解释，分析商务英语语境中模糊语言使用的交际意图。
【期刊名称】《牡丹江教育学院学报》【年(卷),期】2014(000)003【总页数】2页(P17-18)【关键词】模糊语言;语境;商业英语语境;交际意图【作者】杜碧辉【作者单位】湖南涉外经济学院，湖南长沙 410205【正文语种】中文【中图分类】H313长期以来，人们一直强调语言必须意思准确，条理清楚，没有丝毫的模糊和歧义。
然而在现实的交际中，我们往往会发现由于语境的影响，说话人和听话人会选择另一种合适的语言形式——模糊语言来实现其交际意图，达到预期的交际目的。
模糊语言作为一种充满动能的语言，它可以调节、协调说话人的意向，可以使说话人的言语意向根据语境的走势顺应受话人的理解，因此在不同的场合、不同的环境中，模糊语言的使用体现出不同的交际意图，发挥了不同的作用，达到不同的表达效果。
一、模糊语言1.模糊语言的含义模糊性是语言的本质特征之一，语言的模糊性是语言具有弹性的表现。
商务英语语境中模糊语言的交际意图分析
商务英语语境中模糊语言的交际意图分析杜碧辉【期刊名称】《牡丹江教育学院学报》【年(卷),期】2014(0)3【摘要】Vague language is used frequently in the people’s communication w hich affects the com-municative effects .The application of vague language is restricted by certain context .The paper analy-zes the communicative intention of vague language in business context through the interpretation of vague language and context .%模糊语在人们的交际中使用频繁，影响着交际的效果。
在交际中模糊语言的使用，受到一定的语境影响和制约。
本文通过对模糊语言以及语境的解释，分析商务英语语境中模糊语言使用的交际意图。
【总页数】2页(P17-18)【作者】杜碧辉【作者单位】湖南涉外经济学院，湖南长沙 410205【正文语种】中文【中图分类】H313【相关文献】1.商务英语信函中模糊语言的语用功能分析 [J], 崔羽杭;张兴柱;曲秀艳2.英语模糊语言在国际商务洽谈中的作用分析 [J], 崔永乐3.商务英语语境中模糊语言的表现形式探析 [J], 杜碧辉4.商务英语语境中模糊语言的语用功能 [J], 杜碧辉5.国际贸易背景下商务英语信函中模糊语言的积极语用功效分析 [J], 闫佳玲;张泓金利;隋晓冰因版权原因，仅展示原文概要，查看原文内容请购买。
ambiguous与vague的区别
ambiguous与vague的区别摘要：一、引言二、ambiguous与vague的定义与区别1.定义2.区别三、实例分析1.语言表达中的实例2.日常生活中的实例四、如何避免使用ambiguous和vague的表达1.明确词汇含义2.完善句子结构3.增强语境信息五、结论正文：【提纲】一、引言在日常交流中，我们经常会遇到一些含义模糊、难以理解的词汇和表达，它们既可能是ambiguous（歧义），也可能是vague（含糊）。
为了更好地理解这些词汇，我们需要明确它们的定义和区别。
【提纲】二、ambiguous与vague的定义与区别1.定义- Ambiguous：具有多种可能含义，可以引起不同理解的词汇或表达。
- Vague：含义不明确、模糊不清的词汇或表达，可能导致理解上的困难。
2.区别- Ambiguous强调的是一个词汇或表达可以有多种理解，而Vague则强调的是词汇或表达本身含义的不明确。
- Ambiguous通常具有积极的含义，因为它可以引发思考和讨论；而Vague则往往带有负面的含义，因为它可能导致沟通不畅和误解。
【提纲】三、实例分析1.语言表达中的实例- 例如：“他去了超市。
”这个句子就属于ambiguous，因为它可以理解为“他去了超市购物”，也可以理解为“他去了超市上班”。
2.日常生活中的实例- 例如：“你吃饭了吗？”这个问候语在vague的表达下，可能让对方误解为询问对方是否用餐，而实际上说话者可能只是在寒暄。
【提纲】四、如何避免使用ambiguous和vague的表达1.明确词汇含义- 在表达时，尽量使用确切的词汇，避免引起歧义。
例如，可以使用“他去超市购物”来替代“他去了超市”。
2.完善句子结构- 通过增加修饰词、从句等成分，使句子含义更加明确。
例如，“他今天去了超市购物。
”3.增强语境信息- 在交流过程中，通过补充相关信息，帮助对方更好地理解自己的意图。
例如，“他今天去了超市购物，买了一些水果和蔬菜。
- 1、下载文档前请自行甄别文档内容的完整性，平台不提供额外的编辑、内容补充、找答案等附加服务。
- 2、"仅部分预览"的文档,不可在线预览部分如存在完整性等问题,可反馈申请退款(可完整预览的文档不适用该条件!)。
- 3、如文档侵犯您的权益，请联系客服反馈,我们会尽快为您处理(人工客服工作时间：9:00-18:30)。
Vague language
Who speaks of vagueness should himself be vague. ----Bertrand Russell Vague language is a language that talks about something without directly saying what it is.
A representation is vague when the relation of the representing system to the represented system is not one-one, but one-many.（当用于描述的体系与被描述的体系之间的关系不是一对一，而是多对一时，这个描述就是模糊的。
）
----Vagueness, Bertrand Russell, 1928
Vague word
1 Words with a similar meaning（意义相近的词）: thread, string, cord, rope They all have the meaning “线，绳子”. But there is no clear line between them. We can’t tell how thick can be called “rope”, and how thin can be called “string”.
2 Words with a different meaning（反义词）: big, small
They are a pair of antonyms, but the limit between them is changeable. For example, “a big track” and “a small plane” have a different criterion towards “big” and “small”.
3 Words with several meanings（一词多义）: bank
“The post office is by the bank.” This sentence can be translated into“邮局在岸边”or“邮局在银行边上”.
Another example: notebook（笔记本；笔记本电脑）
Vague sentence structure（可做表格）
1 Possessive case（所有格）
John’s book: John买的书or John写的书
2 Parallel structures（并列结构）
I left it either on the table or in the drawer.
地点不明确
3 Modal verb（情态动词）
He should be in his room, for nobody saw him left.
他应该在房间里。
仅是推测，并不明确。
Pragmatic function of vague language （模糊语的语用功能）(Just choose some of them)
1 Make the language more tactful and euphemistic（委婉）.
For instance, people try to avoid some taboo（忌讳）with vague language. “Die” can be replaced by “pass away, be no more, depart, fall asleep, join the great majority, pay the debt, depart to god, expire” and so on.
2 It is indispensable in political life.
For a long-term view, there is a large room for Sino-Russian energy cooperation.
这是“从长远的角度出发”预见未来“有很大的合作空间”，但是目前中俄双方谁都不能确定这个合作空间到底有多大，因此谨慎起见，不可以讲得过于具体。
把政策上的灵活性和原则上的坚定性有机结合起来，这是清晰语言所不能达到的效果。
3 Enhance the aesthetic function（审美功能）of literatures.
And fare you well, my only love, And fare you well a while! And I will come again, my love, Although it were ten thousand mile.---- A Red, Red Rose, Robert Burns
在这节诗的最后“ten thousand mile”是模糊语言，并非确数，只是利用它的模糊的语义进行艺术的夸张，表达诗人的决心：不管远行千里万里，最终要回到爱人的身边。
4 In language study, almost all the concepts have vagueness.
“M orpheme”（语素）and “word”（词）: boy单独使用是一个词，不单独使用时如在“boyhood”中就是一个语素。
5 In business English, vagueness is very useful.
(1) In advertising:
Let us make things better. (Philips)
让我们做的更好。
（飞利浦）
The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection. (Lexus)
追求完美永无止境。
（凌志汽车）
Intelligence everywhere.
智慧演绎，无处不在。
（摩托罗拉手机）
上述三例广告中模糊语言better、Relentless、Pursuit和everywhere 的使用，适当地加大了产品的未定性和空白度，激发了人们的理解和想象，产生了独特的，令人回味无穷的效果，使得商务英语广告更加生动、形象、幽默，也加深了买方对广告内容的记忆。
(2) In bargaining:
A1: Your price sounds a bit high.
B1: Our products are moderately priced.
A2: If you can reduce the price, we might place a larger order.
B2: As a gesture of goodwill, we’ll do our best to meet your wishes when opportunity arises.
上述谈判双方为了达成一致的价格，使用了模糊语言。
A1 中使用了a bit（一点儿），B1 中使用了moderately（合理的），分别体现出自己对价格的看法，又为对方留有了面子。
A2 中继续使用might（可能）和larger（大一点儿）的模糊语，抛出了诱饵，但与might 和larger 相符合的程度、范围和界限都是笼统而模糊的，需要对方自己去理解和判断，而不透露出自己的底线。
B2 中则使用了do our best（尽自己最大努力）和when opportunity arises（当条件达到时）的模糊语，是一种条件式的承诺，不是肯定的答复，出于礼貌，语气委婉，从而使对方仍然有着好感和信心，使谈判得以继续。