A Pragmatic Analysis Of Hedges In English Interviews

Since the middle of 20th century, hedge has attracted widespread attention from linguists both at home and abroad. Hedge, as a core member of vagueness, is the most typical representative and the most universal phenomenon. Scholars'studies of hedge in the pragmatic domain have achieved great progress, which also become a main research direction.Interview is actually a communicative process. It is quite important how to balance the cooperation and opposition to both sides in interview. It need be realized through appropriate language.The thesis takes the co-operative principles and adaptation theory as the theoretical framework, describes the pragmatic embodiment of hedges in English interviews and makes analysis and studies to their pragmatic functions with the qualitative research method. The thesis demonstrates the necessity and importance of hedges in English interviews, their pragmatic realization and functions embodied under the theoretical framework, and some suggestions for proper use, by analyzing the collected natural materials of English interviews, which possesses certain practical value and actual significance.Chapter One is a simple introduction to the whole thesis.Chapter Two is literature review. It exhibits hedge's definitions, previous studies on hedge and classification of hedge, the definition and features of interview and gives the theoretical framework.Chapter Three is the pragmatic analysis of hedge in English interviews. Firstly, it shows the study of hedges based on Co-operative principles, explains the problem on whether hedge complies with or violates the Co-operative principles. Secondly, it analyzes the hedge under the Adaptation Theory, which deals with the hedge performing as a process of making choices and as realization of adaptation. Finally, it discusses the reasons from the viewpoint of Adaptation Theory.Chapter Four focuses on the analysis and summary of pragmatic functions of hedge in English interviews. At last gives advice of proper way of using hedge in English interviews.Chapter Five is a conclusion for the whole thesis. This section involves:findings, contributions, limitations of the thesis and suggestions for continuous research.