Interpreting Vague Language In Diplomatic Discourse: A Study From The Functionalist Perspective

On diplomatic occasions, speakers often employ vague language to achieveparticular communicative purposes, such as safeguarding the nation’s interests tactfully,avoiding conflicts and maintaining friendly cooperative relations. The success ofdiplomacy is directly influenced by the quality of the interpretation work. Therefore,the interpreting of vague language in diplomatic discourse is becoming a greatchallenge to the interpreter. By analyzing examples in seven diplomatic texts, theauthor attempts to categorize vague language in diplomatic discourse into two kindsfrom the functionalist perspective, namely the intentional and the unintentional andsum up corresponding principles and methods for the interpreting of both types ofvague language under the guidance of the four functionalist rules.