Abstract:Since the publication of Fuzzy Sets(Zadeh,1965)，there has been a prosperous research in the field of vagueness linguistics. This thesis adopts qualitative research method to analyze the use of pragmatic vagueness strategy by spokespersons in Chinese Foreign Ministry Press Conference with Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory as the theoretical basis. The thesis tries to analyze how pragmatic vagueness strategy is embodied and what functions it performs in the spokesperson’s remarks. The findings indicate that spokesperson’s remarks mainly present its contextual correlates of adaptability and structural objects of adaptability.
Theoretically，the present research hopes to better reveal the explanatory power of Adaptation Theory; practically, diplomatic spokespersons frequently adopt this strategy to announce the outcome of a talk，to answer sensitive questions, and to harmonize the communicative atmosphere. Thus, pragmatic vagueness strategy successfully meets the special purposes of diplomacy and achieves the best communicative effects. In a word, pragmatic vagueness strategy gives some practical significance of the understanding and using of diplomatic language.
Key words: Adaptation Theory; pragmatic vagueness strategy; diplomatic language; press conference
摘 要:自从查德1965年发表模糊集合后，关于模糊学的研究就呈现蓬勃发展的局面。本文采用定性研究的方法，从维索尔伦的顺应理论出发，探讨了中国外交部新闻发布会上发言人使用语用模糊策略的现象。本文试图分析了发言人言论中语用模糊策略的表现形式和功能。研究结果表明，发言人的言论是对语境因素和语言结构的顺应。
本研究从理论上希望能更好的揭示顺应论对语言使用的强大解释力；实际上，外交发言人经常采取这种策略来发布会谈结果、回答敏感性问题以及缓和交际气氛。因此，语用模糊策略能成功地满足外交的特殊目的以及能达到最佳的交际效果。总之，语用模糊策略对如何正确理解和使用外交语言具有一定的实践指导意义。
关键词：顺应论；语用模糊策略；外交语言；新闻发布会
