An Analysis Of Pragmatic Functions Of Different Categories Of Hedges As Illocutionary Force Modifiers In TV Business Interview

Hedges,as a research area in the study of vagueness,have drawn the attention of linguists from the beginning of 1960s.The explorations of hedges cover the perspectives of semantics,pragmatics and discourse analysis.Enlightened by the researches abroad,some scholars at home also have done some researches on hedges. However,the study of hedges in Chinese interviews especially Chinese business interviews has not drawn much attention.This thesis attempts to conduct a focused study of hedges in Chinese business interview program Face to Face with Economic Hot Issues backed up by Hyland's model and the theory of illocutionary force modification proposed by Homles.The thesis first classifies hedges in the program into five categories,namely,hedges modifying assertives,directives,commissives, expressives and declaratives.After the classification,a quantitative study is conducted to disclose the fact that hedges modifying assertives is most frequently used in the program.Then,for the convenience of analysis,hedges modifying assertives are further classified according to Hyland's model.In the whole process of analysis, Homles' theory is applied and contextual factors are taken into consideration.After this qualitative analysis,the pragmatic functions of hedges as illocutionary force modifiers in the program are spelt out.The analysis reveals that hedges are used to seek precision in expressions, achieve persuasion,perform self-protection,seek agreement among the audience and colleagues and be polite.The present study contributes to the pragmatic study of hedges,especially hedges in business interview programs.In addition,it helps to guide the appropriate usage of hedges in communication for specific purposes.