摘要

作为模糊语言家族的一员，模糊限制语在自然语言中广泛存在。尽管准确是新闻语言的基本要求，但并不排斥模糊限制语的存在。本文经过分析VOA经济新闻中的典型案例说明模糊限制语的语用功能及以此产生的带给听者的积极效果。说明新闻语言中是允许模糊限制语的存在的，恰当地使用模糊限制语更能反映新闻的真实性和客观性。

关键词：模糊限制语；VOA；经济新闻；语用功能
                             
Abstract

As a part of fuzzy language, hedges widely occur in natural language. Although precision is one of the principles of broadcast news, it does not exclude the existence of hedges. This paper discusses the pragmatic functions and positive effect of hedges in economic news by analyzing the examples from VOA. It proves that the existence of hedges is permitted in the broadcast news and the proper use of them can better reflect the truthfulness and objectivity of broadcast news.

Key words: hedges; VOA; economic news; pragmatic functions


1 Introduction

Fuzzy phenomena widely exist in every aspects of human life. Since L. A. Zadeh put forward the fuzzy-set theory in 1965, many subjects appear such as fuzzy logic, fuzzy mathematics, fuzzy linguistics, etc. Fuzzy linguistics is a new subject. Studies show that on the one hand, fuzziness is one feature of natural language; on the other hand people use vague words and expressions to make meanings vague. There are lots of vague words and expressions being used in the formal and informal context, such as the advertisement, news report, negotiation, etc. And they play an important role in the specific context.

1.1 Introduction of hedges
1.1.1 Definitions of hedges

As a part of fuzzy language, hedges widely occur in natural language. Hedge this word originally appeared in the paper A Study in Meaning Criteria and the Logic of Fuzzy Concepts written by G. Lakoff in 1972. He gave the definition of “hedge”: words whose job is to make things fuzzier or less fuzzy.(quoted from Hu Zhankui, 2009)