A Study On Application Of Vague Language By Different Genders In Business Settings

With reference to experiment and study of Fishman(1980) and Prince,et al. (1982),adopting "vague language" theory of Joanna Channel,et al.this thesis strives for exploring vague language application by both genders in formal and informal business settings,on the basis of qualitative and quantitative analysis.The writer studies audio record of 3 layers of formal meetings at HP,Dalian,which adds up to 7 hours approximately,conducting statistical analysis upon vague words and expressions applied by both genders therein.Moreover,a questionnaire is administered in the same company to investigate perceptions upon vague language in business settings.The study reveals that 420 minutes of meetings yielded 258 vague words or expressions,i.e.on average,nearly every 2 minutes,one vague word or expression was applied.The female participants covered 186 minutes,contributing 158 vague words or expressions;the male participants took 234 minutes,resorting to 100 vague words or expressions.Hence,the former used such language every 1.2 minutes,on average;the latter utilized it every 2.3 minutes.So,females applied vague language more frequently than males.According to responses to the questionnaires,vague language found in the meetings is "purposely and unabashedly" used.Both genders accept and make use of such language in business settings.In consideration of functions,they attach priority to Grice's "maxim of Quantity" rather than Leech' "politeness".As for conceptions upon vague language,there are significant differences between genders,e.g.males are more sensitive to the contexts and can accept longer "interval".