Abstract

Both vagueness and accuracy are inescapable attributes of human language. Business language as a language for special purpose, its objectiveness requests the expression of the language to be strict and accurate, but the pragmatic strategy of using vague language is still widely applied in practical use. Based on copious examples and pragmatic theories, this paper mainly discusses reasons of utilizing vague language in business English and its pragmatic functions and risks may brought by misusing of vague language. Furthermore, the author will provide some suggestions for improving the situation. Therefore, this paper would help us obtain a profound understanding of this language phenomenon and some illuminations of effective business communication as well. The purpose of writing this thesis is helping businessmen have a good understanding of the peculiarity of vague language. Thereafter, they can make good use of vague language to serve for their business activities.

KEY WORDS:Vague language; Business English; pragmatic function; solution

摘要

模糊和精确是人类语言的自然属性。商务语言作为专门用途语言的一种，其客观性要求语言表达严谨准确，但模糊语用策略仍被广泛地运用于其中。本文通过大量详细的举例并结合语用学方面的理论，着重探讨了模糊语言在商务英语中应用的原因及其语用功能以及不当使用模糊语言给语言使用者带来的风险。最后针对问题，提出相应的对策和解决措施。文章写作目的旨在帮助商务人员更好的了解模糊言语的特殊性，并在此基础上更好地使用模糊语言，使其更好地为商务活动服务。

关键字:模糊语言；商务英语；语用功能;解决措施

1. Introduction
Along with the economic globalization, business English becomes an indispensable tool for international trade. Having a comprehensive understanding of this language is definitely the most effective way for a better application of this language and meanwhile promoting the international trading environment. Yet most people keep in their mind that language being used in business domain should be accurate and clear rather than equivocal or ambiguous, lest causing inconvenience and misunderstanding during business activities. However, it is undeniable that vague language does exist in business language and plays an irreplaceable role in business communication. Since the concept and theory of vagueness was proposed in 1965, people have done much systematic and descriptive study on vague language. And in this article, the author tries to make a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the application of vague language in business English based on Cooperative Principle, Politeness Principle, and the Relevance Theory in terms of the pragmatic theories.