| Acknowledgments | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-12页 |
| ·Research Orientation | 第9页 |
| ·Research Rationale | 第9-10页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第10页 |
| ·Data Collection and Research Methods | 第10-11页 |
| ·Organization of the Thesis | 第11-12页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature review | 第12-17页 |
| ·Vague Language | 第12-13页 |
| ·Definition of Vague Language | 第12页 |
| ·Vague Language Use in General | 第12-13页 |
| ·Adaptation Theory | 第13-15页 |
| ·Three properties | 第13-14页 |
| ·Four Perspectives | 第14-15页 |
| ·A pragmatic Perspective | 第15页 |
| ·Vague Language as Adaptation in the Present Study | 第15-17页 |
| Chapter 3 Analyses of the Correspondence | 第17-34页 |
| ·Inquiry | 第17-20页 |
| ·Reply to Inquiry | 第20-21页 |
| ·Sales Letter | 第21-24页 |
| ·Reply to Sales Letter | 第24-25页 |
| ·Business Closing Process | 第25-30页 |
| ·Coordination Letter | 第30-31页 |
| ·Complaint Letter | 第31-34页 |
| Chapter 4 Results and Discussions | 第34-41页 |
| ·Frequency of Vague Language in Each Type Correspondence | 第34-37页 |
| ·Analysis of Vague Words Employed in Sales Correspondence | 第34-35页 |
| ·Analysis of Vague Words Employed in Complaint Correspondence | 第35-36页 |
| ·Analysis of Vague Words Employed in Inquiry Correspondence | 第36页 |
| ·Analysis of Vague Words Employed in Coordination Correspondence | 第36页 |
| ·Analysis of Vague Words Employed in Replies to Inquiry Correspondence | 第36-37页 |
| ·The Frequency of Vague Language in Business Correspondence between Chinese Addressers and Foreign Addressers | 第37-38页 |
| ·The Pragmatic Functions of Vague Language in Export Trade Business Correspondence | 第38-41页 |
| ·Increasing the Flexibility | 第38-39页 |
| ·Increasing the Suitableness | 第39页 |
| ·Increasing Special Pragmatic Effects like Persuasive Effect and Polite Effect | 第39-40页 |
| ·Increasing the Precise Amount of Information | 第40-41页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第41-46页 |
| ·Conclusions | 第41页 |
| ·Implications | 第41-44页 |
| ·Limitations and Suggestions | 第44-46页 |
| References | 第46-51页 |
| Paper Published | 第51页 |
