Abstract: Hedges, as one of the most typical and active parts of fuzzy language, widely exist in daily communication and play a significant and effective role in human communication. The proper use of hedges in verbal communication can improve the expressive force and communicative effect of language, making the expressions more natural, flexible, polite and efficient. What’s more, a harmonious interpersonal relationship between the two parties in communication can be successfully achieved by the appropriate applying of hedges.
The thesis discusses the pragmatic functions of hedges in verbal communication by analyzing examples according to CP theories. First of all, the author intended to provide a general introduction, with the significance, objective and the overall structure of the thesis. Then the author will introduce the definition, classification of hedges and hedges’ usage in verbal communication. Next this paper is dealing with how people use hedges appropriately in verbal communication according to Cooperative Principle of Grice. Finally it is analyzing three different kinds of pragmatic functions: providing the right amount of information, smoothing the communication and self-protection. Furthermore it points the pragmatic failure of inappropriate use of hedges in verbal communication. Mastering proper application of hedges can help to improve the effectiveness and flexibility of verbal communication.
Key words: fuzziness; hedges; Cooperative Principle; pragmatic function

摘  要：模糊限制语作为模糊语言中的最典型最活跃的部分之一，广泛存在于日常交际中，并且在言语交际中发挥着重要的作用。在交际中合理运用模糊限制语能够提升语言的表现力和交际效果，使语言表达更加自然得体、礼貌含蓄、灵活有效。此外，恰当使用模糊限制语还能够使交际双方的人际关系变得和谐融洽。
    本文通过合作原则，通过举例，对模糊限制语在言语交际中的语用功能进行分析。首先作者主要介绍了本文的意义，目标以及整体结构。之后，作者分别介绍模糊限制语的定义和分类以及介绍模糊限制语在言语交际中的运用体现。然后作者通过合作原则来解释如何在言语交际中恰当的使用模糊限制语。最后是对模糊限制语在言语交际中的三个语用功能进行了分析，即提供适量信息，保护沟通顺畅和自我保护，之后指出了言语交际中不恰当的使用模糊限制语而造成的失败案例。掌握适当地运用模糊限制语可以增加语言的有效性和灵活性。
关键词：模糊；模糊限制语；合作原则；语用功能

Hedges，an important concept in linguistics and an important part of fuzzy language，occur frequently in verbal communication. This linguistic phenomenon refers to the form of language whose concepts of linguistic expressions do not have sharply defined boundaries.
In recent years, more and more scholars both at home and abroad have realized that the use of hedges is a good way to express the original ideas that people want to express, and it also plays a very important role in verbal communication. As we all know, accuracy is the primary requirement in verbal communication, but it is not the reason to deny the existence of hedges in communication, as accuracy does not always mean precision, and hedges usually exists in our daily life.