| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-8页 |
| LIST OF FIGURES | 第8-9页 |
| LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS | 第9-10页 |
| Contents | 第10-12页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第12-17页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第12-13页 |
| 1.2 Research Questions | 第13页 |
| 1.3 Research Methodology | 第13-14页 |
| 1.4 Data Collection | 第14页 |
| 1.5 Significance of the Research | 第14-15页 |
| 1.6 Organization of the Thesis | 第15-17页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第17-32页 |
| 2.1 Studies of Hedges | 第17-29页 |
| 2.1.1 Previous Studies on Hedges Abroad | 第17-25页 |
| 2.1.1.1 Definitions of Hedges | 第18-20页 |
| 2.1.1.2 Classifications of Hedges | 第20-22页 |
| 2.1.1.3 Functions of Hedges | 第22-25页 |
| 2.1.2 Previous studies on Hedges at Home | 第25-29页 |
| 2.1.2.1 The Studies of Wu Tieping | 第25-26页 |
| 2.1.2.2 The Studies of He Ziran | 第26-27页 |
| 2.1.2.3 The Studies of Other Scholars | 第27-29页 |
| 2.2 Studies of Diplomatic Language | 第29-31页 |
| 2.2.1 Definition of Diplomatic Language | 第29-31页 |
| 2.2.2 Features of Diplomatic Language | 第31页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第31-32页 |
| Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework | 第32-43页 |
| 3.1 Sperber & Wilson’s Relevance Theory | 第32-34页 |
| 3.2 The Principle of Relevance | 第34-39页 |
| 3.2.1 The cognitive principle of relevance | 第37页 |
| 3.2.2 The communicative principle of relevance | 第37-38页 |
| 3.2.3 Maximal Relevance and Optimal Relevance | 第38-39页 |
| 3.3 Ostensive-inferential Communication | 第39-41页 |
| 3.4 Contextual Effects and Processing Efforts | 第41-42页 |
| 3.5 Summary | 第42-43页 |
| Chapter 4 Linguistic Realization of Hedges in English and Chinese Diplomatic Language | 第43-55页 |
| 4.1 Lexical Level Hedges in English and Chinese DL | 第43-47页 |
| 4.1.1 Noun Hedges | 第43-44页 |
| 4.1.2 Verb Hedges | 第44-45页 |
| 4.1.3 Adjective Hedges | 第45-47页 |
| 4.2 Non-lexical Hedges in English and Chinese DL | 第47-54页 |
| 4.2.1 Syntactic Level Hedges in English and Chinese DL | 第47-52页 |
| 4.2.1.1 Use of Negative Sentences | 第48页 |
| 4.2.1.2 Use of Passive Voice | 第48-49页 |
| 4.2.1.3 Use of Conditional Sentences | 第49-51页 |
| 4.2.1.4. Use of Rhetorical Questions | 第51-52页 |
| 4.2.2 Discourse Level Hedges in English and Chinese DL | 第52-54页 |
| 4.3 Summary | 第54-55页 |
| Chapter Five An Analysis of Hedges in English and Chinese DL and the Pragmatic Functions | 第55-78页 |
| 5.1 Analysis of Hedges in English and Chinese Diplomatic Language | 第55-69页 |
| 5.1.1 Analysis of Adaptors in English and Chinese DL | 第55-58页 |
| 5.1.2 Analysis of Rounders in English and Chinese DL | 第58-61页 |
| 5.1.3 Analysis of Plausibility Shields in English and Chinese DL | 第61-66页 |
| 5.1.4 Analysis of Attribution Shields in English and Chinese DL | 第66-69页 |
| 5.2 The Pragmatic Functions of Hedges in English and Chinese DL | 第69-77页 |
| 5.2.1 To Establish a Desired Image | 第69-70页 |
| 5.2.2 To Express Appropriateness | 第70-71页 |
| 5.2.3 To Motivate the Political and Diplomatic Situation | 第71-72页 |
| 5.2.4 To Safeguard the National Interests | 第72-73页 |
| 5.2.5 To Ease the Tension | 第73-74页 |
| 5.2.6 To Express Tactfully and Politely | 第74-75页 |
| 5.2.7 To be Self-protection | 第75-77页 |
| 5.3 Summary | 第77-78页 |
| Chapter 6 Conclusion | 第78-81页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings of Present Study | 第78-79页 |
| 6.2 Limitations of the Present Study | 第79-80页 |
| 6.3 Suggestions for Further Study | 第80-81页 |
| BIBLIOGRAPHY | 第81-87页 |
| 攻读硕士学位期间的主要研究成果 | 第87-88页 |
