声明
Acknowledgements
Abstract
摘要
CONTENTS
List of diagrams
Chapter One Introduction
1.1 Object of the Study
1.2 Significance of the Study
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Organization of the Thesis
Chapter Two Literature Review
2.1 Relevant Research on Vagueness
2.1.1 Philosophical Approach
2.1.2 Linguistic Approach
2.2 Relevant Research on Pragmatic Vagueness
2.2.1 Research by Foreign Scholars
2.2.2 Research by Chinese Scholars
2.3 Contributions and Limitations of Previous Research
Chapter Three Theoretical Framework and Research Methodology
3.1 Theoretical Framework—the Relevance-Adaptation Model
3.1.1 Relevance-Adaptation Model and Its Further Development
3.1.2 The Notion“Context'’in Relevance-Adaptation Model
3.1.3 Summary
3.2 Research Methodology
3.2.1 Research Methodology
3.2.2 Data Collection
Chapter Four Analysis of Pragmatic Vagueness in the Press Conference
4.1 Characteristics of Vagueness in Diplomatic Language
4.2 Linguistic Variability of Pragmatic Vagueness in the Press conference
4.2.1 Pragmatic Vagueness at the Lexical Level
4.2.2 Pragmatic Vagueness at the Sentential Level
4.2.3 Pragmatic Vagueness at the Discourse Level
4.3 The Adaptation of Pragmatic Vagueness in the Press Conference
4.3.1 Pragmatic Vagueness as Adaptation to Social Communicative Norms
4.3.2 Pragmatic Vagueness as Adaptation to Diplomatic Strategies
4.4 Functions of Pragmatic Vagueness in the Press Conference
4.4.1 Enhancing the Flexibility of the Spokesperson’s Remarks
4.4.2 Maintaining the Power of the Spokesperson’s Remarks and the Foreign Policy
4.4.3 Protecting Others’ Face and Mitigating Embarrassment of the Remarks
4.4.4 Creating Favorable International Environment for China’s Development
4.5 Mechanisms of Pragmatic Vagueness
4.5.1 The Production Mechanism of Pragmatic Vagueness
4.5.2 The Interpretation Mechanism of Pragmatic Vagueness
4.6 Summary
Chapter Five Conclusion
5.1 Major Findings of the Study
5.2 Implications of the Study
5.3 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Exploration
References
Publications