| With the investigation of vague linguistics, close attention has been paid to the functions and rhetorical effects of vague language in communication. Vague rhetoric is a new branch of rhetoric and it is the vagueness theory that provides a theoretical basis for the dialectical investigation of rhetoric. It sheds light on the comprehensive and dialectical examination of speech communication and on the rectification of the partiality of regarding precision as the sole principle of speech communication.The present study aims at revealing the similarities and dissimilarities between English and Chinese vague rhetoric by making a comparison between the two. The investigation shows that similarities between English and Chinese vague rhetoric can be located in three aspects: firstly, they have similar constitution methods: of utilizing the inherent vagueness of the language system or the traditional figures of speech or punctuation and interjection devices; secondly, they share similar features of semantic indeterminacy, concision and integrity; thirdly, they both play an important role in human communication: often it can convey meanings more efficientlyand accurately, strengthen the flexibility of language and enable speech to conform to communication principles like the one of Politeness Principle. And finally they may sometimes have aestheticfunctions.. Dissimilarities between English and Chinese vague rhetoric are explored from two aspects: the non-correspondence of vague language and the non-correspondence of rhetorical devices. The author of this paper tends to think that the differences in cultural backgrounds and in thought patterns are main reasons for these dissimilarities.Vague rhetoric is an expressive pattern which is universally used in speech communication. It can be drawn upon to explain the vague nature of thinking, spur us on to examine rhetorical phenomena from a new perspective and help us to explore a new field for English teaching and learning.
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