| DECLARATION | 第1-4页 |
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第4-5页 |
| ABSTRACT | 第5-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-8页 |
| CONTENTS | 第8-10页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第10-17页 |
| ·The object of the research | 第10-12页 |
| ·The rationale of the study | 第12-14页 |
| ·Research questions | 第14-15页 |
| ·Data collection and research methodplogy | 第15页 |
| ·Outline of the thesis | 第15-17页 |
| Chapter Two Review of Relevant Literature | 第17-27页 |
| ·Research on vagueness abroad | 第17-20页 |
| ·Research on vagueness at home | 第20-22页 |
| ·Applied research on vagueness | 第22-23页 |
| ·Relevant research on vagueness in FMSR | 第23-25页 |
| ·Critical evaluation of the past research | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter Three Description of Theoretical Framework | 第27-36页 |
| ·Defining pragmatic vagueness | 第27-28页 |
| ·Verschueren's Adaptation Theory | 第28-31页 |
| ·Brown & Levinson's Face Theory | 第31-32页 |
| ·Searle's indirect speech acts theory | 第32-33页 |
| ·Construction of analytical framework for pragmatic vagueness in FMSR | 第33-36页 |
| Chapter Four Empirical Analysis of Pragmatic Vagueness in Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks | 第36-94页 |
| ·Linguistic variability of pragmatic vagueness in FMSR | 第36-78页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness in the lexical level | 第36-68页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "deictics" | 第36-48页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "hedges" | 第48-51页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "general/abstract wording" | 第51-55页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "understatement" | 第55-60页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "metalanguage" | 第60-68页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness in the sentential level | 第68-78页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by "indirectness" | 第68-76页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness by meaning inconsistency | 第76-78页 |
| ·Adaptability of pragmatic vagueness in FMSR | 第78-90页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness as adaptation to communicative norms | 第79-85页 |
| ·Maintaining good image of the spokesperson | 第81-82页 |
| ·Satisfying the hearer's face wants | 第82-85页 |
| ·Pragmatic vagueness as adaptation to diplomatic tactics | 第85-90页 |
| ·Maintaining good bilateral relations | 第86-89页 |
| ·Maintaining good image of China in international community | 第89-90页 |
| ·Functions of pragmatic vagueness in FMSR | 第90-92页 |
| ·Concluding remarks | 第92-94页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第94-101页 |
| ·Overview | 第94页 |
| ·Major findings | 第94-96页 |
| ·Implications | 第96-99页 |
| ·Limitations and suggestions for further exploration | 第99-101页 |
| Bibliography | 第101-103页 |
