A Study of Vague Language in Business English Correspondence from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory_英语论文

摘要

商务英语函电作为国际商务交流的重要信息交流手段，主要有两个功能，即传递商务信息和与对方保持良好的业务关系。模糊语作为语言的基本特征之一，在语言学研究领域中日益受到关注。本文以顺应论为理论基础，分析商务英语函电中模糊语言对心理世界、物理世界以及社交世界的顺应。研究表明模糊语言是语言选择和语言顺应的结果，它是交际者为了更顺利地实现交际意图而使用的一项语言策略。从顺应论角度对商务英语函电中的模糊语进行研究，不但有助于我们对这一语言现象的理解，而且能使我们更好的把握模糊语在国际商务活动中的运用。作者希望通过该研究，能帮助商务人员和商务英语学习者在商务活动中更好的实现其交际意图。

关键词：商务英语函电；顺应论；模糊语

Contents

Acknowledgments I

Abstract II

摘要 III

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 Background of This Study 1

1.2 Significance of This Study 1

1.3 Structure of This Thesis 2

Chapter Two Literature Review 3

2.1 Vague Language 3

2.1.1 Definitions of Vague Language 3

2.1.2 Realization of Vague Language 3

2.2 Previous Studies on Vague Language in BEC 4

2.2.1 Translation of Vague Language in BEC 4

2.2.2 Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in BEC 5

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework 7

3.1 Adaptation Theory 7

3.2 Three Properties of Language 7

3.3 Four Aspects of Adaptability 7

Chapter Four Interpretation of Vague Language in Business English Correspondence Based on Adaptation Theory 9

4.1 Adaptation to Physical World 9

4.1.1 Adaptation to Temporal Reference 9

4.1.2 Adaptation to Spatial Reference 10

4.2 Adaptation to Social World 10

4.2.1 Adaptation to Interlocutors’ Social Positions 11

4.2.2 Adaptation to Trade Regulations 11

4.3 Adaptation to Mental World 12

4.3.1 Adaptation to Addressor’s Intentions 12

4.3.2 Adaptation to Addressee’s Emotions 13

Chapter Five Conclusion 14

5.1 Findings 14

5.2 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Study 14

References 15