A Classification of Hedges and Their Pragmatic Functions 英语毕业论文.doc

A Classification of Hedges and Their Pragmatic Functions Abstract: The use of hedges is one of the strategies to make munication effective and appropriate. This paper discusses the different types and forms of hedges and their pragmatic functions. It firstly introduces the forms of two different types of hedges (Approximators and Shields). Then it examines what pragmatic functions could be achieved by using hedges and explained the reasons from the perspectives cooperative principle and politeness principle. Key Words: Hedges Classification Pragmatic Functions 1. Introduction ’s article Fuzzy Sets (1965) evoked the development of studying vague language in the field of linguistics. The concept of“ vagueness ” gave the linguists a different idea to study language and some contributions were made in the fields of semantics, psychology and so on. The beginning of studying vague language in China is in 1980s with the publication of Wu Tieping ’sA Discussion of Vague Language . Most of the studies on vague language in recent years are limited in the structure and meaning of vague expressions and neglect the use of vague language. The use of vague language is mon in our daily life and is important to make munication polite and appropriate. Hedges as an important part in the scope of vague language, its use should receive the attention of the studies. Therefore this paper co