An Analysis Of Pragmatic Vagueness In Diplomatic Language

In order to create a peaceful atmosphere in dealing with international affairs, diplomats often resort to vague expressions to show their respect toward others and avoid misunderstanding and conflicts; meanwhile, they often use vague expressions to avoid answering some confidential questions. Therefore, vagueness is one of the most important characteristics of diplomatic language. In recent years, linguists in an increasing number devote themselves to the study of diplomatic language from the theoretical perspectives of Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle. Some scholars apply the theory of vagueness to the analyses of diplomatic language and summarize its functions, characteristics and pragmatic effects. Some other scholars study the diplomatic language at lexical level, syntactic level and textual level. However, few scholars take Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language for a case study. Based on the above reason, the author makes a systematic study on vagueness in Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language in order to present a better understanding and interpretation of it.On the basis of the previous studies, the author analyzes vagueness in Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language from the theoretical perspectives of Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle. The thesis aims to answer three questions:1. what are the types of vagueness in Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language?2. what maxim of Cooperative Principle does Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language frequently violate?3. what’s the relationship between the violation of Cooperative Principle and the observance of Politeness Principle, why did Zhou Enlai deliberately violate Cooperative Principle?Conclusions can be made after qualitative study:1. vagueness is widely used in Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language and nine types of it are as follows:using nouns, pronouns, verb phrases to achieve vagueness, using rhetoric questions, polarity alternation, presupposition, ambiguity, irony, avoidance, modality and so on to achieve vagueness.2. Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language mostly flouts the quantity maxim and the manner maxim;3. Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language mainly flouts Cooperative Principle but observes Politeness Principle, in most cases, the aim of violating Cooperative Principle is to better observe the Politeness Principle. In diplomacy, showing politeness is more important than being cooperative.The study of this thesis has certain practical significance. The results of the study are helpful for understanding Zhou Enlai’s diplomatic language; the results are useful for both the interpretation of the diplomatic language and the training of diplomats. It can also help readers to cultivate the awareness of using vague language to help achieve interpersonal harmony.