. -
famous Polish linguist also points out thatmunication requires vague
expressions
[2]
. As a matter of fact, the former researchon the
practical use of di"erent language shows that if hedgesare
pletelydeleted with only precision left, language would denitely bee
so sti" that ourmunication could be greatly limited.
Since hedges have been found to occur widely in language use,
skillful use of itcan help bring about special e"ects in munication.
However, the importance ofvague language has not received
enough attention, for English learners in Chinausually gives much
regard to precision of expression. Frankly speaking, it isunblamable
to strictly observe the grammar and sentence pattern, but, if
theimplication is also restricted in rules and regulations of accuracy,
the municationwill turn to be so pale. The deliberate use of vague
language for its special e"ect isso prevalent in business
conversation as well as in daily conversation that people justtake it
for granted. The pragmaticfunctions and strategies lying behind the
hedges in business English require attention as soon as possible in
this fastdeveloping country. However, the past research is largely
done from a semanticperspective concerning the written form,
while, few are from the dynamicperspective of conversation. For
example, Wu Tieping, the founder of fuzzylinguistics in China,
mainly focuses his work on the semantics of vague language inhis
monograph, Fuzzy Linguistics
[3]8-10
. Although many researches have
been done in thestudy of daily English, advertising English,
literature, and language teaching, thestudy of hedges has seldom
been associated with business English, let alonebusiness
conversation.
So, in the fast developing China, in the atmosphere of economy-
dominatedsociety,the author tries to analyze the appropriate usage
of hedges in English forbusiness negotiation and thus to some
extent promote the development of fuzzylinguistics and the
economic strength of China as well. Likewise, pragmatics doesnot
conne itself to merely describing how people use language, but
also concernsitself with how to help them bee better users. The
presentstudy also attempts to give some enlightenment to the study
of municative skillsfor business negotiation. It may lead its readers
to have a better understanding ofhow the addressor realizes the
di"erent intention and the purposes with the help of hedges. It may
further impulse the businessmen in China paying more e"ortto use
hedges in Business English tactfully and appropriately.
. .zj.