| Abstract | 第5页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-13页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第9-10页 |
| 1.2 Rationale of the Study | 第10-11页 |
| 1.3 Questions to be Investigated | 第11页 |
| 1.4 Layout of the Thesis | 第11-13页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第13-25页 |
| 2.1 Vagueness | 第13-20页 |
| 2.1.1 Different Definitions of Vagueness | 第13-14页 |
| 2.1.2 Clarification of Vagueness, Fuzziness, Ambiguity and Generality | 第14-15页 |
| 2.1.3 Four Perspectives of Vagueness Research | 第15-18页 |
| 2.1.4 Realization of Vagueness | 第18-19页 |
| 2.1.5 Functions of Vagueness | 第19-20页 |
| 2.2 Negotiation | 第20-25页 |
| 2.2.1 Definition of Negotiation | 第20-21页 |
| 2.2.2 Conditions for Negotiation | 第21-23页 |
| 2.2.3 General Negotiation Approach | 第23-25页 |
| Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework | 第25-28页 |
| 3.1 Adaptation Theory | 第25-27页 |
| 3.1.1 Properties of Language | 第25-26页 |
| 3.1.2 Perspectives of Language Investigation | 第26-27页 |
| 3.2 Cooperative Principle | 第27-28页 |
| Chapter 4 Interpretation of Vagueness in Business Negotiation via Adaptation Theory and Cooperative Principle | 第28-40页 |
| 4.1 Vagueness Explained by Adaptation Theory | 第28-37页 |
| 4.1.1 Vague Language Adapted to Specific Contexts in International Business Negotiation | 第28-35页 |
| 4.1.2 Vague Language Adapted to Psychological Motivations in International Business Negotiation | 第35-37页 |
| 4.2 Vagueness Explained by Cooperative Principle | 第37-40页 |
| 4.2.1 Vagueness by Flouting the Maxim of Quantity | 第37-38页 |
| 4.2.2 Vagueness by Flouting the Maxim of Quality | 第38页 |
| 4.2.3 Vagueness by Flouting the Maxim of Manner | 第38-39页 |
| 4.2.4 Vagueness by Flouting the Maxim of Relevance | 第39-40页 |
| Chapter 5 Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Business Negotiation | 第40-45页 |
| 5.1 The Positive Functions of Vague Language in Business Negotiation | 第40-43页 |
| 5.1.1 Creating a Friendly Atmosphere | 第40-41页 |
| 5.1.2 Giving the Right Amount of Information | 第41-42页 |
| 5.1.3 Protecting Party’s Interests | 第42页 |
| 5.1.4 Making the Language Persuasive | 第42-43页 |
| 5.2 The Negative Functions of Vague Language in Business Negotiation | 第43页 |
| 5.3 Summary | 第43-45页 |
| Chapter 6 Conclusion | 第45-48页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings | 第45-46页 |
| 6.2 Implications and Research Prospect | 第46页 |
| 6.3 Limitations of the Study and Suggestions for Further Research | 第46-48页 |
| Works Cited | 第48-50页 |
| Bibliography | 第50-53页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第53页 |
