| Acknowledgements | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract in Chinese | 第5-6页 |
| Abstract in English | 第6-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-13页 |
| ·Motivations for the study | 第9-11页 |
| ·The objectives of the study | 第11页 |
| ·The outline of the thesis | 第11-13页 |
| Chapter 2 A Brief Account of Relevant Literature | 第13-23页 |
| ·L.A.Zadeh's study of hedge | 第13-14页 |
| ·Lakoff's study of hedge | 第14-16页 |
| ·Post -Lakoff's study of hedge | 第16-20页 |
| ·Summary of the existing studies on hedge | 第20-21页 |
| ·The present study of hedge | 第21-23页 |
| Chapter 3 Study of Hedge within the Framework of Adaptation Theory | 第23-31页 |
| ·Adaptation Theory | 第23-25页 |
| ·Study of hedge based on adaptation theory | 第25-31页 |
| ·Use of hedge as a process of making choice | 第25-26页 |
| ·Use of hedge as realization of adaptation | 第26-31页 |
| Chapter 4 Use of Hedge as Adaptation to Context | 第31-63页 |
| ·Understanding adaptation | 第31页 |
| ·Hedge and context | 第31-55页 |
| ·Physical context | 第32-33页 |
| ·Cultural context | 第33-36页 |
| ·Social context | 第36-41页 |
| ·Power | 第36-37页 |
| ·Gender | 第37-39页 |
| ·Occupation | 第39-41页 |
| ·Psychological motivations | 第41-55页 |
| ·Following principle of economy | 第42-44页 |
| ·Protecting oneself | 第44-47页 |
| ·Withholding information | 第47-49页 |
| ·Creating hyperbole | 第49-51页 |
| ·Creating meiosis | 第51-53页 |
| ·Communicating affection | 第53-55页 |
| ·Hedge and pragmatic functions | 第55-63页 |
| ·Hedge and Cooperative Principle | 第55-58页 |
| ·Hedge and Politeness Principle | 第58-63页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第63-67页 |
| ·Summary of the Study | 第63-64页 |
| ·Implications | 第64-65页 |
| ·For scientific writing | 第64页 |
| ·For English teaching | 第64-65页 |
| ·Further study | 第65-67页 |
| Bibliography | 第67-70页 |
