I. Definition

People sometimes use expressions to show that they lack adequate evidence for what they say, or they want to switch to another topic of discussion, while still observing the principle. These expressions are called hedges. For example, as far as I know, I’m not sure if this is right.

II. Classification of hedges

Hedges can be generally divided into two types: approximators and shields. Approximators are hedges which indicate fuzziness about the truth-value of propositions. In “his face was sort of pale”, the expression sort of is an approximators.

Approximators can be further classified into two subtypes: adaptors and rounders. Adoptors, such as somewhat and sort of indicate how close to prototypicality a certain reality is, as in Matters have improved somewhat since then. They indicate the changes in degree the speaker makes about the proposition. Rounders are words or expressions like approximately and about. They indicate the change in measurements and show that the speaker does not want or is unable to provide the exact measurement of something.

Shields show fuzziness in the relationship between the propositional content and the speaker. They do not change the truth-values of propositions, as I think in I think this face is pale. Shields are also divided into two subtypes: plausibility shields and attribution shields. Plausibility shield indicates that the speaker is not certain about the truth-value of the proposition such as I think, perhaps and seem. When a speaker uses attribution shields, he/she attributes a proposition to someone else, as in according to Dr. Smith, the measurements were not made at the right time. Any belief in the truth of the proposition is associated with somebody else.

III. Pragmatic functions of hedges>

Hedges are frequently found in social interactions. People use different hedges to achieve different communicative effects, and they are closely related to the CP, the PP and conversational implicature.

In communication, sometimes people have to violate certain maxims of the CP in order to observe another, and in such cases, hedges may be used by the speaker to indicate that some maxims are violated. It is on the part of the hearer to infer the implicature arising from the use of the hedges, for example: I think he is probably wounded.

Hedges are used as mitigators for politeness reasons. E.g. That’s very kind of you.