| Abstract | 第4-5页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-10页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第10-13页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第10-11页 |
| 1.2 Research Purpose | 第11页 |
| 1.3 Significance of this Study | 第11-12页 |
| 1.4 Structure of the Thesis | 第12-13页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第13-27页 |
| 2.1 Hedges | 第13-17页 |
| 2.1.1 Definitions | 第13-14页 |
| 2.1.2 Classification of Hedges | 第14-17页 |
| 2.2 An Overview of Studies on Hedges | 第17-21页 |
| 2.2.1 Studies of Hedges abroad | 第17-19页 |
| 2.2.2 Studies of Hedges in China | 第19-21页 |
| 2.3 Company Profiles | 第21-22页 |
| 2.4 Theoretical Framework:Adaption Theory | 第22-27页 |
| 2.4.1 A General Description of Adaption Theory | 第22-25页 |
| 2.4.2 Hedging as a Result of Linguistic Choices | 第25页 |
| 2.4.3 Heding as the Realization of Adaption | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter Three Research Methodology | 第27-30页 |
| 3.1 Data Collection | 第27页 |
| 3.2 Research Questions | 第27-28页 |
| 3.3 Research Procedure | 第28-30页 |
| Chapter Four Results and Discussion | 第30-53页 |
| 4.1 Distribution of Hedges in Chinese and English Company Profiles | 第30-34页 |
| 4.2 Linguistic Realization of Hedges in Chinese and English Company Profiles | 第34-45页 |
| 4.2.1 Linguistic Realization of Adaptors | 第34-37页 |
| 4.2.2 Linguistic Realization of Rounders | 第37-42页 |
| 4.2.3 Linguistic Realization of Plausibility Shields | 第42-44页 |
| 4.2.4 Linguistic Realization of Attribution Shields | 第44-45页 |
| 4.3 Comparison of Hedges between Chinese and English Company Profiles | 第45-48页 |
| 4.3.1 Similarities in the Use of Hedges between Chinese and English Company Profiles | 第45-47页 |
| 4.3.2 Differences in the Use of Hedges between Chinese and English Company Profiles | 第47-48页 |
| 4.4 Reasons for the Similarities and Differences | 第48-53页 |
| 4.4.1 Similarities Triggered by Adaptation to Communicative Goals | 第48页 |
| 4.4.2 Similarities Triggered by Adaptation to Politeness | 第48-49页 |
| 4.4.3 Differences Triggered by Adaptation to Social World | 第49-52页 |
| 4.4.4 Differences Triggered by Adaptation to Mental World | 第52-53页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第53-57页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings | 第53-54页 |
| 5.2 Pedagogical Implications | 第54-55页 |
| 5.3 Limitations | 第55-56页 |
| 5.4 Suggestions for Future Studies | 第56-57页 |
| References | 第57-60页 |
| Appendix Ⅰ:Samples of CCPs | 第60-62页 |
| Appendix Ⅱ:Samples of ECPs | 第62-64页 |
| Appendix Ⅲ:List of Hedges in CCP | 第64-65页 |
| Appendix Ⅳ:List of Hedges in ECP | 第65-66页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第66页 |
