Abstract:On the vagueness of language, both domestic and foreign scholars have penetrated deeply. As early as 1957, British scientist Jones voice (D. Jones) had noted the vague features of language. Today researches regarding vague language have been made in various fields, such as: law, economy, industry and education. Even if Business English that needs accuracy, logic, clearance and orderliness of thinking and rigorous structure, vague language are used. Many scholars have analyzed vague language in Business English language from semantics, pragmatics, and rhetoric. Because in the translation of business English, people should obey not only the principle of being accurate, but also the principle of being faithful. Translation of the vague language in business English may appear puzzled. In this paper the writer tries to analyze the equivalent translation of vague language in Business English from the several pragmatic functions. By studying the followings: 1) definition of vague language, the research on it and reasons for its existence 2) definition of Business English and its classifications 3) the pragmatic functions of vague language in business English 4) the translation of vague language in business English based on pragmatic functions, this paper can help business communicators understand the meaning of the vague language well from pragmatic functions so as to achieve the purpose of carrying out the communication smoothly and successfully. 

Keywords: vague language  commercial English  pragmatic functions  translations equivalence

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Literature Review..1

1.1 Vague Language-1

1.2 Reasons for the Existence of Vague Language-1

1.2.1 Objective Reason-2

1.2.2 Subjective Reason-2

1.2.3 People’s Different Evaluation-2

1.3 Business English-2

1.3.1 The Concept of Business English-2

1.3.2 Classification of Business English-3

Chapter Two Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Business English.4

2.1. Improving the Efficiency of Language-4

2.2 Contributing Accuracy to Business English-4

2.3 Enhancing the Flexibility of Business English-5

2.4 Deliberately Withholding the Information-6

2.5 Mitigating the Face-Threat Effects-6

2.6 Self-Protection-7

Chapter Three Equivalent Translations of Vague Language in Business English Based on Pragmatic Functions...8

3.1 Using Same Vague Words in the Target Language-8

3.2 Using Similar Vague Words in the Target Language-9

3.3 Making changes in Target Language-11

Chapter Four Conclusion..14

References...15