| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第8-9页 |
| ABSTRACT | 第9-10页 |
| 摘要 | 第11-16页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅰ INTRODUCTION | 第16-20页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第16-17页 |
| 1.2 Rationale of the Study | 第17-18页 |
| 1.3 Objectives of the Study | 第18页 |
| 1.4 Organization of the Study | 第18-20页 |
| Chapter Ⅱ LITERATURE REVIEW | 第20-33页 |
| 2.1 Overview of the Studies on Hedges and Hedging | 第21-27页 |
| 2.1.1 Definition of Hedges | 第21-23页 |
| 2.1.2 Classification of Hedges | 第23-27页 |
| 2.2 Studies on Hedges or Hedging Abroad and at Home | 第27-29页 |
| 2.2.1 Studies of Hedges Abroad | 第27-28页 |
| 2.2.2 Studies of Hedges at Home | 第28-29页 |
| 2.3 The Relation between Pragmatics and Hedges | 第29页 |
| 2.4 Adaptation Theory | 第29-32页 |
| 2.4.1 A General Description of Adaptation Theory | 第29-30页 |
| 2.4.2 Use of Hedges as a Process of Linguistic Choices | 第30-31页 |
| 2.4.3 Use of Hedges as a Realization of Adaptation | 第31-32页 |
| 2.5 Previous Studies on Sitcoms Abroad and at Home | 第32-33页 |
| Chapter Ⅲ RESEARCH METHODS | 第33-36页 |
| 3.1 Research Questions | 第34页 |
| 3.2 Data Collection | 第34-35页 |
| 3.3 Research Method and Procedure | 第35-36页 |
| 3.3.1 Research Method | 第35-36页 |
| 3.3.2 Research Procedure | 第36页 |
| Chapter Ⅳ RESULTS AND DISCUSSION | 第36-58页 |
| 4.1 Result Analysis | 第36-40页 |
| 4.2 Similarities and Differences between Ipartment and Friends | 第40-42页 |
| 4.2.1 Similarities of Hedges Applied in Ipartment and Friends | 第40-41页 |
| 4.2.2 Differences of Hedges in Ipartment and Friends | 第41-42页 |
| 4.3 Adaptation and Pragmatic Functions of Hedges | 第42-51页 |
| 4.3.1 Hedges as Adaptation to the Physical World | 第42-45页 |
| 4.3.2 Hedges as Adaptation to the Social World | 第45-47页 |
| 4.3.2.1 Adaptation to Utterance Environment | 第45-46页 |
| 4.3.2.2 Adaptation to the Interpersonal Relationship | 第46-47页 |
| 4.3.3 Hedges as Adaptation to the Mental World | 第47-51页 |
| 4.3.3.1 Adaptation to the Utterers' Mental World | 第48-49页 |
| 4.3.3.2 Adaptation to the Interpreters’ Mental world | 第49-51页 |
| 4.4 Pragmatic Functions of Hedges Based on Adaptation Theory | 第51-58页 |
| 4.4.1 For Flexibility | 第51-52页 |
| 4.4.2 For Accuracy | 第52-54页 |
| 4.4.3 For Politeness | 第54-55页 |
| 4.4.4 For Self-protection | 第55-58页 |
| Chapter Ⅴ CONCLUSION | 第58-62页 |
| 5.1 Summary of Major Findings | 第58-59页 |
| 5.2 Pedagogical Implications | 第59-60页 |
| 5.3 Recommendations for the Future Study | 第60-62页 |
| REFERENCES | 第62-64页 |
| APPENDIX A List of Hedges in Friends and Ipartment | 第64-65页 |
