Abstract: Vagueness is a basic attribute of language. Hedges are an important kind of vague language elements used in a wide range of discourses with an enormous function to facilitate communication. They have aroused many scholars’ attention at home and abroad, whose studies have attained rich and varied achievements. This paper is an analysis of pragmatic perspective on hedges in Obama’s Weekly Addresses. Following the classification of Prince and his colleagues, this paper attempts to analyze four types of hedges and explores their pragmatic functions in the speeches. This study aims to lead readers to gain a better understanding of the fuzzy language in Obama’s speeches and also prove that proper use of vague language in speeches can achieve different communication effects. 

  Key Words: hedges; pragmatic functions; Obama’s Weekly addresses

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Significance of Study-1

1.2 Data Collection and Methodology-2

1.3 Theoretical Basis-2

2. Review of Related Studies-3

2.1 Studies on Hedges-3

2.2 Studies on Barack Obama’s Weekly Addresses-5

3. Classification of Hedges in Obama’s Weekly Addresses-6

3.1 The Subcategory of Adaptors-7

3.2 The Subcategory of Rounders-10

3.3 The Subcategory of Plausibility Shields-12

3.4 The Subcategory of Attribution Shields-16

4. Pragmatic Functions of Hedges in Obama’s Weekly Addresses-18

4.1 Being Objective and Reliable-18

4.2 Showing Politeness-19

4.3 Strengthening Persuasion-20

4.4 Enhancing Flexibility-21

5. Conclusion-22

References-24