The Pragmatics Of Vague Language In Business Correspondence

The present thesis is a pragmatic analysis of vague language in business correspondence. It is a qualitative study based on the theoretical framework developed from Verschueren's (2000) Adaptation Theory.Vague language is frequently used in business communication. Yet the uses can be divided into two types: (1) non-deliberate use when people are unable to be more precise; and (2) deliberate use when people are reluctant to be more precise. The current thesis focuses on the deliberate use of vague language by the addresser to help him fulfill certain communicative intentions. In this study, vague language is made as adaptation to contextual influences and psychological motivations where politeness motivation has played an important part. From the detailed analyses we can arrive at a conclusion that vague language is a result of linguistic choice and a result of linguistic adaptation. Vague language has four pragmatic functions in written business communication: (1) to give the right amount of information; (2) to enhance the flexibility of business language; (3) to improve the appropriateness of business language; and (4) to create special pragmatic effects such as persuasive and polite effects.Although some limitations can be found, the present study has nonetheless its significance, such as to help the addresser better realize his communicative intentions or the addressee to better understand the intended meaning of the business correspondence. The study also helps business students to learn to write business correspondence in a tactful way.