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1、Rhetorical Functions of Accuracy and VaguenessVagueness,clearly,is a matter of degree,depending upon the extent of thepossible differences between different systems represented by the same representation.Accuracy,on the contrary,is an ideal limit。1Generally speaking,vagueness is alanguage attribute,
2、so we should bear it in mind that accuracy as well as vagueness isa comparative definition.However,as two important ways of expression,they bothpossess rhetorical functions.First of all,accuracy enables a speaker or writer to express ideas exactly and tothe point while vagueness allows him or her to
3、 carry on the communicationsmoothly。Speech and writing are always mans important methods of communication,which requires people to convey information and ideas in the exact degree.In otherwords,accuracy ensures exact expression in communicative function.Hereafter isan example about the British Gener
4、al Churchill,who highly stressed accuracy.During the WWII,an officer working in Department of Chief of General Staff of theBritish Army once reported that his troop had been fighting with the Germans at asmall village in Italy.Back came Churchills copy that“We do not fight withGermans.We fight eithe
5、r for or against them。”In this example,the officer hadexpected to convey the information of fighting against enemies but failed to express itexactly,which aroused ambiguity in meaning.Thought its of great importance to adhere to accuracy,when one finds itimpossible to be accurate or suddenly is at a
6、 loss about expressing something in aexact way,he or she may resort to a vague term to carry on the communicationsmoothly。e.g。“Oh in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars。But if itwas bought on Fifth Avenue,I shouldnt be surprised to hear that anything up tothirty thousand was paid it.(
7、W。Somerset Maugham,Mr。KnowAll)1Bertrand Russell,Vagueness,http:/www.cscs.umich.edu/crshalizi/Russell/vagueness/,Oct.21 20071In the example above,the expressions like“somewhere round”are vaguereference because the speaker can hardly tell how much and where.By doing so,he was able to let the topic mov
8、e on in a smooth and natural way。Secondly,accuracy allows no ambiguity,so accurate expression is alwaysgrand and direct。On the other hand,vagueness can fulfill a useful function of tactfulexpression.e.g。“Could you do me a favor?”“Sorry,I simply cant promise.”In this example,“simply cant”shows the sp
9、eakers straightforwardness andfrankness about refusal。Thus accuracy here conveys his attitude directly towardsthe others request for help。As to the function of vagueness,when one finds it unnecessary or unwise to bevery accurate,he or she may make deliberate use of vagueness。In this respect,what peo
10、ple call“tactful expression”are most commonly used。e.g.TV reporter:“Would you mind telling me frankly what do you think of ourprograms?”One of the audience:“Well,some are interesting,some could be better,and some are almost sort of rubbish.”In this dialogue,although the questioner was evidently tryi
11、ng to get some frankopinions,the answer was full of vague terms like“somesomeand some”。The reason is that the person questioned didn t want to hurt the reporter.Instead,he chose a tactful way of vagueness to show his opinion about the programs。Last but not least,accuracy features the function of per
12、suasion while vaguenessserves as a device for emphasis。e。g。“Youll be surprised to hear that Mrs。Ramsay bought that string at adepartment store the day before we left New York for eighteen dollars。”(W.Somerset Maugham,Mr.KnowAll)In this example,the expressions like“the day before we left New York”and
13、“foreighteen dollars are accurate and exact reference to numbers and time。Thesedefinite terms not only show the speakers confidence but also add convictive2evidence to his speech。In other words,accuracy here strengthens the persuasivepower of the speaker。Although vagueness usually blurs the idea,app
14、ropriate use of vagueexpressioncan help to emphasize expressions。e。g.ThanksThanks a million.In the example above,“a million”are the vague expression。Compared with“Thanks,“Thanks a million”strongly emphasizes the degree of ones appreciation。In a word,vague elements can be found in rhetorical figures
15、of hyperbole andunderstatement to function as emphasis.In conclusion,accuracy focuses on exact,direct and persuasive conveyance ofideas,attitudes and argumentations.Then vagueness speaks highly of smoothness,tact and emphasis in expression and communication.Therefore,both accuracy andvagueness give full play to their functions in communicative rhetoric(exact,direct,smooth and tactful expressions)as well as in aesthetic rhetoric(persuasive power andfigure of hyperbole).3
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