CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABSTRACT
摘要
Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1
1.1 Background of the Study.1
1.2 Purpose of the Study.1
Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-2
2.1 Definition of Hedges-2
2.2 Classification of Hedges-2
2.2.1 Semantic classification of hedges2
2.2.2 Grammatical classification of hedges3
2.2.3 Pragmatic classification of hedges.3
2.3 Relevant Studies at Home and Abroad-3
2.3.1 Study of vague language and hedges abroad-4
2.3.2 Study of vague language and hedges in China-4
Chapter Three RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-5
3.1 Research Materials-5
3.2 Research Questions-5
Chapter Four RESULTS AND DISCUSSION-6
4.1 Overall Frequency of Hedges Used in Each Corpus-6
4.2 Comparison of Sub-categories in Both Corpora-7
4.2.1 Comparison of approximators and shields in both corpora7
4.2.2 Comparison of four sub-categories of hedges in both corpora.8
4.3 Phenomenon Analysis of Similarities and Differences of Hedges in Both
Corpora-.10
4.4 Pragmatic Functions of the Use of hedges in News-.11
Chapter Five CONCLUSION-12
5.1 Major Findings12
5.2 Implications of the Present Research.13
5.3 Limitations of the Present Research14
REFRENCES-16
