本书在语用原则和修辞原则的基础上构建了一个解释模糊修辞的语用学框架。在此框架内，本书对政治文本中的模糊修辞进行了理论分析，并通过生动的语例，对这一理论的实际应用进行了探讨，既有理论研究价值，又有很强的可读性。

本书在语用原则和修辞原则的基础上构建了一个解释模糊修辞的语用学框架。在此框架内，本书对政治文本中的模糊修辞进行了理论分析，并通过生动的语例，对这一理论的实际应用进行了探讨，既有理论研究价值，又有很强的可读性。

本研究着眼于模糊语言的语用特点，融合语用学、修辞学和模糊语言研究等领域的相关研究成果，拓宽了模糊语言的研究范围，是跨学科研究的一次成功尝试。

伍铁平序

前言

Chapter I Introduction

  1.1  The research orientation

  1.2 Significance of the study

  1.3  Methodology and data

  1.4  Organization of the book

Chapter II Rhetorical Vagueness

 2.1  Vagueness: a study object of rhetoric

 2.2  A working definition of rhetorical vagueness

 2.3  Types of rhetorical vagueness

   2.3.1  Continuum vagueness

   2.3.2  Categorical vagueness

   2.3.3  Evaluational vagueness

   2.3.4  Hedges

         2.3.4.1  Brown and Levinson's taxonomy

                of hedges

         2.3.4.2  Shields and approximators

    2.3.5  Figurative use of language

         2.3.5.1  Metaphor

         2.3.5.2  Euphemism

         2.3.5.3  Irony

    2.3.6  Implieature

         2.3.6.1  Biased words

         2.3.6.2  Biased sentences

  2.4  Summary

Chapter m Different Approaches to Vagueness: A Survey

 3.1  The semantic approach

 3.2  The cognitive approach

 3.3  Vagueness in both rhetoric and pragmatics

   3.3.1  Dynamic context in pragmatics

   3.3.2  The recultivated ground of rhetoric :

         the role of context

   3.3.3  Leech's rhetorical approach to pragmatics

   3.3.4  Grice's and Sperber and Wilson's pragmatic

         approach to rhetorical vagueness

 3.4  Chinese scholars' work on vagueness

 3.5  Summary

Chapter IV A Pragmatic Framework for Rhetorical Vagueness 

 4.1  Rhetorical vagueness from a pragmatic perspective:

    an integrated model

 4.2  Context dependence and vagueness

    4.2.1  Standard of precision

   4.2.2  Comparison class

    4.2.3  Expectations and purposes

   4.2.4  Dynamics of context

  4.3  CP and rhetorical vagueness

  4.4  RP and rhetorical vagueness

    g. 4.1  Loose talk, literal talk and vagueness

    4.4.2  Relevance and metaphor

    4.4.3  Relevance and irony

         4.4.3.1  Irony as echoic interpretation

         4.4.3.2  Criticism of the echoic theory and revision

                suggestions

         4.4.3.3  Pragmatic functions of irony

  4.5  PP and rhetorics] vagueness

       4.5.1  Vagueness as maxim-adherence strategy

   4.5.2  Vagueness as management of face and

         politeness strategies

   4.5.3  Politeness as one competing goal

 4.6  EP and rhetorical vagueness

   4.6.1  Interestingness

   4.6.2  Economy

   4.6.3  Forcefulness

   4.6.4  For competing goals

 4.7  Summary

Chapter V  Vagueness in Political Rhetoric

 5.1  Pragmatic account of vagueness in political rhetoric

   5.1.1  Context and political vagueness

   5.1.2  CP and political vagueness

   5.1.3  RP and political vagueness

   5.1.4 PP and political vagueness

   5.1.5  EP and political Vagueness 

 5.2  Politician's speech 

   5.2.1  Vague words and expressions

         5.2.1.1  Empty nouns in political rhetoric

         5.2.1.2  Vague adjectives and adverbs

   5.2.2 Political metaphor 

         5.2.2.1  The importance of political metaphor 

         5.2.2.2 Vagueness of political metaphor

         5.2.2.3  Pragmatic functions of political metaphor

   5.2.3  Political euphemism

         5.2.3.1  The nature of political euphemism

         5.2.3.2 The pragmatic functions of political

                euphemism

5.3  Politician's acts

  5.3.1  Vagueness in politician's speech acts

  5.3.2  Evading answering questions

       5.3.2.1  The definition of evasion

       5.3.2.2  Overt and covert evasion

       5.3.2.3  Evasion strategies 

  5.3.3  Manipulating political pronouns

       5.3.3.1  Pronominal pragmatics

       5.3.3.2  Inclusive/Exclusive "we" 

       5.3.3.3  Pronominal scaling and we-versus-they

             dichotomy

  5.3.4  Hedging a political opinion

       5.3.4.1  Modal auxiliary verbs

       5.3.4.2  Words suggesting likelihood

       5.3.4.3  Approximators

       5.3.4.4  Introductory phrases

       5.3.4.5  If-clauses

5.4  Pragmatic functions of vagueness in political rhetoric

  5.4.1  Textual functions of political vagueness

       5.4.1.1  Economy and terseness

       5.4.1.2  Expressivity

  5.4.2  Interpersonal functions of political vagueness

       5.4.2.1  Deliberately withholding information

      5.4.2.2 Self-protecting

       5.4.2.3  Avoiding or shifting responsibility 

      5.4.2.4 Threatening

      5.4.2.5  Showing power and politeness

      5.4.2.6  Creating a desired image

5.5  Summary 

Chapter VI Conclusions

 6.1  Main points and implications of the study

 6.2  Major contributions of the research

 6.3  Limitations and potential directions for further study

Bibliography