摘要：语言的模糊性指词语所指范围的边界的不确定性,这种属性是自然语言的基本属性，是语言的本质特征之一。英语语言中的模糊现象可分为四类：所指概念模糊；词义不具体；意义不确定；词项意义分裂。英语模糊语通过四种手段构成：利用模糊词语；利用数词和量词的模糊化;应用模糊限制词；利用模糊修辞。本文从实践出发，探析了英语语言模糊性在日常生活、文学作品、外贸英语、报刊英语和法律英语中的应用效益，并强调我们应多利用模糊语言积极的一面，避免其消极的一面。
　　关键词：英语语言 模糊性 应用效益
　　【中图分类号】G40-03【文献标识码】A【文章编号】1009-9646(2009)02-0080-07
　　
　　Ⅰ.Fuzziness of Language
　　
　　Fuzziness of language means indefiniteness of the range of words meanings.It is the basic property of natural language and one the essential features of language.In 1965 an American scholar L.Zadeh issued a piece of paper “Fuzzy Sets”,he put forward the famous fuzzy theory,which reveals us the fact that the types of objective things one another always have no precise bounds fixed.Therefore,he illustrated that during human beings social practice and learning the world,fuzzy phenomena,fuzzy concepts,fuzzy judgment and fuzzy inference were regarded as an important way in which human being mastered the essence and regular patterns of objective things.After that,in foreign countries,a series of new branches of learning about fuzzy theory arose such fuzzy linguistics,fuzzy mathematics,fuzzy psychology,fuzzy logic,fuzzy rhetoric and so on.Anton Marty said,fuzziness is the phenomenon that the range for application of some name is not strictly fixed.It is said that fuzziness of one word represents that it has a limited range for application whose bounds is indefinite;obviously fuzziness is an objective characteristic of that set which fuzzy symbol means in Max Blacks “Language and Philosophy”.
　　
　　Ⅱ.Classify of Fuzzy Phenomena in English Language
　　
　　Classify of fuzzy phenomena which were classified by an English linguistician R.M.Kempson is representative in English language.In 1977 in his “Semantic Theory”,fuzzy phenomena were classified four categories:
　　A.Fuzziness of Denotation Concepts.Fuzziness of denotation concepts refers to the meanings of some words are very specific,but we will really meet unexpected troubles when we connect them with the specific objects in the world.We all know the denotations of “city” and “town”.Generally speaking,city is larger and more important than town.But how much? What level need they reach? Town is called city.Different people may have different answers to these questions.Therefore,it is difficult for people to find the unified standard and the specific range between them.How to decide the range of “forest “and “wood”?Small forest can be called big wood,their covering range is not fixed precisely,so sometimes it is very difficult for people to judge that small forest should be called forest or wood.Other similar examples are:“hill and mountain”,“cottage and house”,“friend and acquaintance”.
　　B.Unspecific of Words Meanings.Unspecific of words meanings is that the meanings of some words are too general,not specific,and no denotations.One typical example is the word “neighbor”.It refers to people who live near someone,upstairs,downstairs,at the same floor.They are not distinguishing sex,age,race,occupation,etc.In English language,readers sometimes cannot understand some relative words because they dont know whom them mean.Such as “uncle” and “aunt”,each of them can indicate over five kinds of relationship.The word “cousin” even can indicate over eight kinds of relationship.In addition,the representing acts of some verbs are too general.As in this sentence “He has done the sitting room”,the meaning of verb “do” is fuzzy.This sentence might be understood:He has swept the sitting room;he has furnished the sitting room with some furniture;he has fixed up the sitting room;he has dealt with the crime spot.Even he has stolen all things in the sitting room.It should be judged from his status and career.Some similar words are “to go,to make”,etc.
　　C.Indefiniteness of Meanings.This kind of fuzzy phenomenon mainly means the denotations of some words are indefinite;they make people difficultly understand them.The remarkable example is “the possessive construction”.For instance,“Johns book” may be undertood:the book that John is reading;the book John has;the book written by John;the book John always brings,etc.Because there are a lot of extension meanings in the possessive construction.It is very difficult for people to choose one.Only by the additive information can people reduce its fuzziness as possible as they can.
　　D.Divide of Lexical Items Meanings.This kind of fuzzy phenomenon is semantic fuzziness caused by the coordinators,e.g.“either…or...”.For example,“The applicants for the job are required to have either a first class degree or some teaching experience”.When seeing the advertisement,the applicants dont know it says what qualification they should possess:excellent academic credentials,some teaching experience or both.
　　
　　Ⅲ.Formation of Fuzzy Language in English Language
　　
　　A.By Choice of Fuzzy Words.In English language,the concepts of some words are fuzzy,and their denotations are difficultly decided.Such as tall,short;fat,thin,it is very difficult for pepople to fix their standard;e.g.the juvenile,the young,the middle-age,the age range which they mean is fuzzy,too.For one example,a woman who is 50 years old is the middle aged or the aged.That is very indefinite.For another example,hate,like,love;day,night,spring,pleasure,evening,morning;them,these,we …Lets look at some sentences:
　　Two old men are talking about the days gone by.
　　___The beers just like water.They dont make it as strong as they used to.
　　___No,Things arent what they used to be,are they?
　　___The pubs arent any good nowadays.
　　___ No,but they used be good when we were young.
　　___The trouble is that the young people dont work hard.
　　___No,they used to work hard when we were young.
　　In this dialogue,we can find the indicated pronouns several times.They indicate different persons or things each time,and the indicated range is not very precise and specific.
　　B.By Choice of Fuzzy Quantity Words.In English language,the meanings of some quantity words are fuzzy.They only express the general numeral concepts.Such as lots,a great deal of,tens of thousands,ten to one,a hundred and one,a thousand and one thousands upon thousands,seldom,few,a touch of some,a few,a little,etc.For example,
　　a.I cant go to see the movie tonight because Ill have a dozen of things to do.
　　In this sentence,“a dozen” is not precise concept,but fuzzy concept.It indicates the meaning of “some”.
　　b.He met her a couple of years ago.
　　Here “a couple of” is the meaning of “some”,not the meaning of “a pair of”.
　　c.John is 100 kilograms.
　　This sentence can be understood precise:John is just 100 kilograms;or fuzzy:John is about 100 kilograms.
　　C.By Choice of Hedges.In “Hedges:A Study in Meaning Criteria and the Logic of Fuzzy Concepts”,Gorge Lakoff (1972) gave the concept of hedge:“Hedge is the word whose job is to make things fuzzier or less fuzzy.” In English language,some adjectives,adverbs,indefinite pronouns,modal verbs,linking verbs and some additives are usually regarded as hedges.According to pragmatics,E.F.Prime (1980) and his colleague classified hedges as follows:
　　


　　1.Approximators
　　a.Adaptors e.g.sort of,kind of,somewhat,somehow,almost,quite,entirely,a little bit,more or less,etc.They make fuzziness accordance with the true extent of words.So that they could make some words approaching right,but dare not absolutely positive proper,avoiding being arbitrarily decided.For example,
　　(1) Im feeling kind of tired.(Paul Proctor,1978:607)
　　(2) I rather thought hed say that.(Paul Proctor,1978:914)
　　Here “kind of” and “rather “are both adaptors.They weaken the positive tense of speakers to a different extent.
　　b.Rounders e.g.about,around,round,about,or,or so,approximately,essentially,roughly,etc.They are used to hedge the rounder of words.Especially being used to measure things.For example,
　　(1) He has learned about 5,000 words.
　　(2) I wonder what time Ive got to go to the dentist.Its always round fouroclock.
　　(3) He hopes to set up an advance camp at around 20,000 feet in early July.
　　(4) As a child,I lived until I was ten or so with an elderly spinster relative.
　　(5) Nigeria introduced universal primary education in fifty-six or so.
　　(6) (Talking about Christmas trees) Theres another shop in Blackheath that was selling really scrawny ones,five or six quid a time.
　　(7)…I mean,we look at motorcars and see that as an energy conversion system.Its approximately 18 percent efficient.Most of the energy thrown out of the exhaust pipe and heat loss from the radiator.
　　In these sentences above,because numerals are used with the rounder,the precise numbers become fuzzy.
　　2.Shields
　　Such as I think,according to Dr Wilson,probably,as far as I can tell,I suppose,as if,seen,believe,I assume,Im afraid,presumably,as is well known,etc.They can make original tense from positive to alleviated without changing the original meaning.For example,
　　(1) The man looking about as if in search of something.
　　(2) As far as I know he is an honest student.
　　(3) What he said is true,I guess.
　　(4) I thought I ought to go,if you dont mind.
　　(5) Someone says that he was injured in a car accident.
　　(6) The possibility would be that he has gone to New York.
　　D.By Choice of Fuzzy Rhetoric
　　Traditional rhetoric,such as taboo,metaphor,euphemism,metonymy,hyperbole is used to represent fuzziness to effect rhetoric.For example,
　　a.The word “die”,people all avoid and taboo it,so they often try their best to find some words to instead of it.Such as fall asleep,be called to God,safe in the arms of Jesus,pass out,depart ones life,join the heavenly choir,etc.The word range of these euphemisms and “die” is fuzzy,but people can understand the entailment from some connected things.
　　b.“Your grammar is…” she had intended saying awful,bat she amended it to “ not particularly good”.
　　Here the author uses euphemistical and fuzzy phrase “not particularly good”,and expresses his idea clearly,In the meanwhile,the author can avoid the listener embarrassed.
　　c.To be,or not to be:That is the question whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer,
　　The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
　　Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
　　And by opposing end then.(Shakespeare)
　　Sea is so vast,“a sea of troubles” exaggerates much hardship,but how much hardship there is fuzzy concept.This is a typical example by using fuzzy hyperbole to effect better rhetoric.
　　Ⅳ.Application Effects of Fuzziness in English Language
　　A.In Daily Life
　　Fuzziness of language doesnt prevent people from communication.A lot of fuzzy language occurs in communication of daily life.When people meet indefinite or indirect things,they usually use fuzzy language.This expression form makes words natural,flexible,terse,proper,euphemistical,connotative,and improve expression efficiency to achieve the purpose of communication.For example,
　　a.A:Do drop round and visit us some time.
　　B:Thank you.I would love to.
　　The words A says are considered as a salutation when the host says goodbye to the guest.“Invitation” the host means is fuzzy.It has no definite date and time.This expression form cares for the listeners difficulty when he / she makes a decision.In the meanwhile,it doesnt make the listener embarrassed when he / she refuses the host.
　　b.S:Whats the result of my English text?
　　T:About 80.
　　In the campus a student meet his English teacher,and much wants to know the result of his English test yesterday.But the teacher forgets the precise number at that moment.In order to make the student excited,she uses fuzzy language “about 80”,flexibly,properly.
　　c.Brother:How is our mother feeling these days?
　　Sister:Much better.But doctors said she should still stay in the hospital for a few days.
　　Properly using of fuzzy language “much better”,“doctor said” and “a few days” increases credibility.It reflects the solid relationship between sister and brother.Brother garrisons in frontier and worries about their mother very much.In order that brother doesnt worry about their mother,and keeps his frontier task,sister tells him mothers illness,indefinitely and euphemistically.
　　d.Could we,when you give us our essays back——and give us titles——could we sort of meet or something——because I mean ——there might be things we want to ask.
　　It indicates that the students are in honor of the teacher to use indefinite fuzzy words “could,sort of,or something,might” when the students ask the teacher for permission euphemistically,they give the teacher considering place,and make their permission tender.
　　B.In Literature
　　Fuzziness occurs not only in spoken vernacular style but also in written vernacular style.Literature is one of written vernacular style.Literature language is the most colorful and manifests in all written vernacular style.It possesses of the characteristic of image,emotion vividness,connotation,art and so on.Therefore,in literature the character description should be indistinguishable from the original,so that the readers as if to listen to him;scenery description should be vivid,so that the readers as if get to the real place,emotion description should be complete,so that the readers as if they suffer from it.To achieve these effects,writers usually use fuzzy language in literature.By this means,they can create a fuzzy artistic conception.Han Qingling (1998) thought fuzzy language,which is connotative,interesting,expressive is an important forming method for literature creation.It is said that in certain sense,we can say no fuzzy language,and no natural language of human being,even no literary works.(伍铁平,1999:364) For example,
　　a.In “My First Job” of College English Intensive Reading,Book Two,the bald headmaster is described like this:
　　He was short and fat.He had a sandy——colored mustache,a wrinkled forehead and hardly any hair.
　　The author used three fuzzy words “short and fat,hardly any hair” to describe the character.If he changed them to “He is 165cm,75kg,3hairs on head”.Obviously,he would reduce the glamour of language,and make readers fell monotonous and ridiculous.
　　b.In Shakespeares famous tragedy “Hamlet”,the main character Hamlets famous soliloquy “To be,or not to be” is a typical example of fuzzy language.To this motto,different appreciators have different opinions.That is the reason why this motto is so fuzzy.If Shakespeare didnt change his manuscript,it would be “well its hard,you know,I cant figure out if I should kill myself or not.Obviously,the expression is worse than the motto.
　　c.It is a case of January and May.(余富斌,2000:51) This is typical fuzzy language in this sentence.January is in winter,and the character of winter is snow.The color of snow is white.White indicates white-haired man.May stands for flowers.The typical character of flowers is beautiful,while beautiful is the appearance of the young lady.So the intention of this sentence is:A white-haired man married a beautiful young lady.
　　d.The Big Horn canyons were incredible,with four and five distinct layers of pine trees somehow clinging to the steep,rocky wall.Far,far,below,Ten Sleep Creek was a thin,white torrent on the rampage.In some of the less wild terrain,we saw deer on the high green hillsides and,as we climbed up toward our picnic sport,we flashed two does and two fawns.That night,we fall asleep with the roar of Ten Sleep in our ears.
　　Here “incredible,four and five layers of,somehow,green,thin,less wild” are all unknown quantity words,four and five is precise number,but we dont know they are four layers or five layers.Is “somehow” man-made or natural power? These words are fuzzy,but they have expression.The author thought after founding U.S.,the American people spent most of their time and energy on west,so the ecological environment in west must be destroyed,and no old things were left.When he saw the real things in west,to his surprise,rivers and mountains in west are still charming as before:Trees are green,water in the stream is clear,etc.
　　e.Some of the troubles we saw were every bit as bad as I had dreaded.But by and large,the country was as glorious,as vast as overwhelmingly spectacular as those know nothing kid had expected!
　　What is the bounds range of “by and large”? The author used the hedges skillfully and generally confirmed our rivers and mountains.Though there were some troubles,the country was as glorious,as vast and as overwhelmingly spectacular as those know nothing kid had expected.
　　f.And I shall have some peace there,/ for peace comes dropping slowly,/ Dropping from the veils of the morning,/ to where the cricket sings;/ There midnights a aglimmer,/ and noon a purple glow,/ And evening full of the linners wings.(W.Yeats,The Lake Isle of Innisfree)
　　In this poem,the author used a lot of fuzzy words,such as “dropping slow,a glimmer,a purple glows,full of” and fuzzy rhetoric “the veils of the morning” (metaphor),“the linnets wings”(metonymy).There fuzzy descriptions represent the drowsy and picturesque scenery to the readers.They were carefree and cozy!
　　C.In Foreign Business
　　During international trade negotiation,the situation of hearted keen debate,even the deadlock is not avoided.At this moment,fuzzy words are like the lubricating grease to make the expressions more euphemistical,polite and proper.At the beginning of negotiation,not having known the other partys intention,one party can talk to the other party in fuzzy language:Could you give me any information about…? And buyer usually uses fuzzy words for sales promotion:“of good quality”,“attractive designs”,“sells well all over the world”.For example,
　　a.Comparing the language expression of two sentences:
　　(1) Among them two kinds of the products have been exported to Thailand and Malaysia.
　　(2) Among them some of the products have been exported to the international market.
　　In sentence (1) “Thailand” and “Malaysia” are all precise and specific words,while in sentence (2) “some”,and “international market” are all fuzzy,uncertain words.Obviously,the information in sentence (2) is more than that in sentence (1),so the effect of sales promotion will be better.
　　During the negotiation,when both parties dont reach agreement,and some words should not be said directly,so they always intentionally use fuzzy words to express so as to avoid words to rigid,and leave both parties some buffer space.
　　b.“Im afraid that the proposal you put forward just now isnt up too much.”
　　“I agree with most of what you said,but…”
　　“The price is a little bit higher,could you cut down a little?”
　　Here “isnt up too much”,“most of what”,and “a little” are all the extension of connotation of fuzzy language.They have no precise bounds,and can be understood flexibly.
　　During the negotiation,both the buyer and seller usually use fuzzy words to force up commodity prices to make the other party not to estimate their real strength.
　　c.A:our prices compare favorably with those offered by other manufacturers either in Europe or anywhere else,we are one of the best manufacturers in this line.Here are our latest price sheets;you will see our prices are most competitive.
　　B:Well,Im afraid your price is somewhat higher than I expected.Weve got in touch with some of manufacturers.Their prices are much lower than yours.
　　A:I should say the price is reasonable if you take the quality into consideration.
　　B:But I hope that some progress can be made towards a concession in the price.
　　A:Well,thats almost cost price,but Ill see what I can do if your order is large enough.
　　B:The size of our order depends greatly on your price.
　　From this dialogue,we know that party A tries his best to force up his commodity prices by using “by other manufacturers….else” “best” and “most” competitive”,reasonable.While part B uses fuzzy words “somewhat higher”,“much lower”,“some of manufacturers”,and “greatly” to achieve the purpose of concealing his real strength and measure party A.
　　d.Each year business that sells medical supplies is faced with hundreds of new products.We would like your assistance in answering the enclosed survey.
　　Here “hundreds of” is uncertain number,but a general reference “many”.A medical customer connotatively asks a potential customer for help.But his words are fuzzy.
　　e.An offer by a merchant to buy or sell goods in a signed writing which by its terms gives assurance that it will be held open is not revocable.For back of consideration,during the time stated or if no time is seated for a reasonable time.
　　Here “for a reasonable time” is an important expression in English,America and France.According to the explanation of the judges in English,America and France,that “how long” “for a reasonable time” means must be decided by the judges who make a decision based on the precise situation.Because the situation in business trade is complicated and changeful,it is difficult for law——making organ to enumerate the precise situation in law.By using this kind of fuzzy language,it is good for balancing the interest of both litigants and achieves the purpose of trade.
　　In short,fuzzy language plays an important part in foreign business.
　　D.In Newspaper English
　　Generally speaking,news vernacular style should be accurate firstly;Accuracy is the first factor among news factors,and the essential requirement of spreading information.To this,some people have such misunderstanding:Only preciseness can achieve accuracy of news reporting.Fuzziness is against preciseness,so it is not accurate.However,it is the fact that accuracy in not completely equal to preciseness.In some circumstances,fuzziness can occur in news report.In fact,either preciseness or accuracy is to achieve accuracy.So it is hard to avoid using fuzzy language in news vernacular style.If it is used properly and accurately,it is good for improving the quality of new reporting.For example,
　　“Should the French side choose to ignore the strong opposition of the Chinese side and insist in its erroneous act of encroaching on Chinas sovereignty and jeopardizing Chinas security,the Chinese side cannot but make a strong reaction.The French Government should be held fully responsible for all the serious consequences arising there from.” (China Daily,Nov.27,1992)
　　In the paragraph above fuzziness is using hedge which is formed by “should” clause and fuzzy words “strong,fully,all,serious,” etc.What is a strong reaction? What are the serious consequences? Oppose by reporter meeting? Declare war to France? Ask UN for an immediate decision? Or carry out economy sanction? This expression is not indefinite.Language is fuzzy,but it was used properly,it didnt affect the accuracy of news reporting and efficiency of language communication.These kinds of fuzzy words are used widely in news vernacular style.They have three parts of functions as follows:
　　1.Increasing Credibility of News Reporting
　　Journalists have to use vague language to report some facts or social phenomena,which have no definite time and results.In contrast it will increase credibility of news reporting,and reveal the journalists matter-of-fact attitude.For example,
　　A top Chinese official has called for even greater efforts to make the country greener in the coming years.(China Daily,Feb.4,1992)
　　In the past few years she has become addicted to classical music——especially Hayden and the composers of nineteenth——century Russia——and he now has a collection of 2,500 LPs and cassettes.(The observer,Aug.23,1987)
　　In the former piece of news,it is very difficult for people to tell us clearly the date;while in the latter piece of news,it is very difficult for people to tell us clearly the beginning of her hobby.So the reporter makes them fuzzy in purpose using “in the past few years” and “now”.Readers can accept the fuzzy language from psychology.They wont doubt the truth of facts due to fuzzy languages occurring in news vernacular style.
　　2.According to the Characteristics of News Reporting
　　Because news writing emphasizes on time and efficiency,news report is usually called “literature in hurry”.The randomness of development of news event,scale and effect are indeterminate.It is very difficult for the reporters to judge the range and effects of new events.Therefore,the reporters have to use general fuzzy words in reporting so as to generally report the news events to readers,analysis and estimate the objects.Take the characteristics “terseness,time and efficiency,news interview,etc” in news writing into consideration.For example,
　　a.In the east——central coal——mining region,where nine mines have been struck,at least 3,000 miners blocked roads and railroads track and clashed repeatedly with riots police on daylong confrontations.Two dozens miners were arrested (The Christian Science Monitor,Aug.11,1987)
　　In this example,it is very difficult for the reporters to count how many miners joined the strike,blocked roads and railroad,track,how many times miners clashed repeatedly with riot police,and how many miners were arrested.So the reporters use fuzzy words in news report.
　　b.Sporadic sniper fire and several rounds of artillery shells pounded the center of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo yesterday while the latest UN peace talks were about to start in New York.
　　Sarajevo reporters said artillery shells slammed into the city several times during the early morning.Random sniper fire could be heard around Sarajevos city center.(The International Herald Inbune,Feb.5,1993)
　　Readers can image that:in order to spread the war imediately news,reporters in front had no time to count times of shells pounding,so they used “several rounds” and “several times” to express them.As we see,these fuzzy expressions above are not very accurate,but they are more objective and scientific than accuracy.Luosu once said:“That will be a great mistake that someone thinks fuzzy understanding is false.In contrast,fuzzy understanding may be realer than accurate understanding,because more possible facts can illustrate fuzzy understanding.” (王谣,2000:79) That is the truth.
　　3.Making News Reporting Vivid
　　If fuzzy words in reports of English newspaper are used properly,they wont cause fuzzy sense.But it makes the reports more vivid to some extent.They will have some important effects that accurate numbers dont possess of.For example,
　　As share prices crashed yet again on Friday,criticism,mounted over the refused of the Stock Exchange
　　s new style market—makers to make a proper market.Criticism of the lack of liquidity in the Stock Exchanges new electronic marketplace gathered momentum through last weeks equity bloodbath.(The observer,Aug.9,1987)
　　In this piece of news about the American stock market,the reporter didnt use any number,but use two fuzzy verbs “crashed” and “mounted” two fuzzy nouns “momentum” and “bloodbath”.From these fuzzy words,we can learn the stock price declined sharply,people of all walks of life felt indignant.
　　E.In Law English
　　Law English is a kind of customary language,which includes some words phrases and mode of expression with its unique style.One of the most important characteristics of law English is exact in its usage.In other words,accuracy is the soul and life of law English.Law English vernacular style emphasizes on accuracy.Is it complete against using fuzzy language? No.For example,
　　a.After service,the defendant is entitled to a certain period of time within which to file his pleading,or answer,to plaintiffs petition.
　　Here indefinite time “a certain period of time” is fuzzy expression.
　　b.Whoever conceals,destroys or unlawfully opens another persons letter,thereby infringing upon the citizens right to freedom of correspondence,if the circumstances are serious,shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than one year or criminal detention.
　　“Serious” is fuzzy expression.It is seen fuzzy language can be used in law English.However,it is conditioned and restrained.When is fuzzy language used in law English? Generally speaking,there are three circumstances as follows:
　　1.In Order to Make Law More Accurately and Maximally Inflict a Punishment on a Criminal in Law Making For example,
　　Whoever commits arson breaches a dike,causes explosion,spreads poison or uses other dangerous means to sabotage any factory,mine,oilfield,harbor,river,water source,warehouse,house,forest,farm,threashing,grounds,pasture,key pipeline,public building or any other public or private properly,thereby endangering public security but causing no serious consequences,shall be sentenced to fixed term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years.
　　Here “other” is a fuzzy word,after enumerating the main criminal methods and sabotages fuzzy words “other dangerous means” and “other public of private property” are added.So the legal rule is limited and general,the letters of the law is strict,and is good for inflicting a punishment on a criminal maximally.If fuzzy words are omitted or changed to definite words,in one hand,law making will lose strictness.In the other hand,most of criminals will escape from law sanction in daily life.
　　2.Strengthen Flexibility of Language Expression
　　In law affairs,especially in foreign occasion,in order to avoid rigid,absolute words,the speakers usually use fuzzy language to express their own viewpoint.For example,a paragraph in “The United Communique between the Peoples Republic of China and The United States of America”:
　　… and that it intends gradually to reduce its sale of arm to Taiwan,leading,over a period of time,to a final resolution.
　　The two sides will maintain contain and hold appropriate consultations on bilateral and international issues of common interest.
　　To a question “when will the American stop selling arm to Taiwan”,both leaders used words “gradually reduce”,but didnt express concrete time.Words“ maintain contact” and “hold appropriate consultations” are fuzzy language,they are used to represent some indefinite concepts.Nobody can tell us what extent they mean.But in this paragraph above they were used properly,they are more accurate and convincing than precise numbers.
　　3.Make Language Expression More Euphemistical,Connotative and Polite
　　For example,
　　a.In view of Mr.C.Jrs employment by the embassy,it would be appreciated if an appropriate entry and exit visa could be issued to him.
　　Here fuzzy word “appropriate” was used resulted from polite considering.In fact,an entry and exit visa was asked to issue.
　　b.Unless this account is paid within next ten days,we will take further measures.
　　In this sentence “take further measures” is fuzzy word,it complete can be changed to “start legal proceedings” or “bring out”.But the lawyer didnt do it like that,because he thought it was so early to say such positive words,he used euphemistical words to instead of them.
　　In short,though fuzzy words are limited to use in law English,they play an important part in it.If used fuzzy words properly,they will ensure law language accurate and strict.
　　ⅴ.Suggestion of Using Fuzziness in English Language
　　Fuzziness of language occurs in spoken and written communication,it has become one part of language use,and bears the stronger communicative effects.Using fuzzy language is the need of communicative purpose and a communicative means or pragmatic strategy.In communication,if properly used,it can fully display its effects and make language vivid,perfect,graceful,accurate and proper.Although the application of fuzzy language possesses of a great many positive functions,it also has a lot of negative functions.Frequently,there are such characteristics containing general,indefinite,etc.If not properly used,it will cause the disadvantages,and then affects accurate,flexible and proper in communication,even cause the failure in communication.But there are not innate advantages or disadvantages in fuzzy language,it only results in being properly used or not.Therefore,we should make full use of its positivity and avoid its negativity to achieve our communicative purpose.Bibliography
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