论文总字数：32248字

摘 要

模糊性是自然语言的本质属性。自“模糊语言”理论提出后，多数研究立足于语言学、语义学等学科的研究成果，以大量的实例和分析探讨了其在教学，商务，法律，新闻中的模糊语言现象，而古诗词中的模糊语言，大多是从模糊语言理论的视角来探讨文体的翻译，对其应用和语用功能的分析研究所见不多。古诗词中含有大量的模糊数字，这些数字对诗词的节律和意境的构建起到了举足轻重的作用。本文从数字入手，着重对中国古诗词中数字的模糊性进行了探究，旨在说明这些具有模糊性质的数字有着独特的功能和意义，它们不但丰富了数字本身的语义特征，具有精确数字所没有的语用功能，而且还起到了语用修辞效果，极大地增强了诗歌中的意境美。本文结合古诗词的特点和实例，通过分析模糊数字的成因及分类，尝试着探讨了古诗词中使用模糊数字的必要性及语用效果。

关键词：；数字模糊性；古诗词；语用分析

Contents

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………..1
2. Literature Review…………………………………………………….........2
3. Application and Features of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems……………………………………………………………………….3

3.1 Application of Fuzzy Numerals ….................................................................3

3.2 Features of Fuzzy Numerals……………………………………..……….....4

1. Origins of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems……………..……6

4.1 Subjective Fuzziness………………………...……………………….……...6

4.2 Objective Cognition………………………………………………………....7

4.3 Semantic Changes……………...……………………………………………7

4.4 Historical, Cultural and Geographical Factors………….…………………...8

1. Pragmatic Functions of Fuzzy Numerals ……………………....…….…...9

5.1 Improvement in Objectivity and Accuracy…………………………..…......10

5.2 Flexibility and Efficiency in Expressions…………………..………..….….10

5.3 Effectiveness in Rhetoric ………………….…………………...……..……11

1. Conclusion……………………………………….…………….……...……12

Works Cited……………………………………………………………..…….14

1. Introduction

Numeral is one of the most essential components since language and its significance has been recognized since long time ago. I have taken notice of the fact that numerals are used quite often in ancient Chinese poems and the numerals in literature even prevail at all times and in all over the world. For instance:

“一去二三里，烟村四五家。楼台六七座，八九十枝花。”

In this verse, the poet skillfully used fuzzy numerals from one to ten. The poem depicts the buildings and natural scenery in the peaceful village vividly and effectively. The employment of the fuzzy numerals adds the beauty and peace of the whole place in our thinking. Therefore, it makes the picture more pleasing to both our eyes and mind.

At this time, many questions come into my mind. In literary works, what are the functions of the numerals? Do they have different features? What function do the numerals perform? A desire to learn and work out these questions drives me to do the research on this topic.

The other point to be mentioned here is that the sentences I have introduced to study are ancient Chinese poems. I have chosen poems as my research object for I believe the ancient classics are more representative concerning the use of numerals. Firstly, the style of poems is restricted within limited forms. Therefore, the samples collected from the poems are not far away from structures. Secondly, most of the sentences in poems are known home and abroad which also makes this research valuable in contemporary literature. Moreover, as one of the Chinese features, ancient Chinese poems are works of art and present the cream of Chinese culture which is great in the impact upon the contemporary Chinese literature. All mentioned above are available for the language research, which ensures the thesis a scientific one.

The thesis is devoted to studying fuzziness of numerals and its pragmatic function in a systematic structure. The causes of fuzziness are studied from different perspectives, which make the phenomenon of fuzzy numerals explained best. It not only enhances and enriches our knowledge on fuzzy numerals but also plays an important part in finding out the supportive theories and practical approaches to guide the reproduction of fuzzy beauty without taking away its original beauty in literary works.

At last, after studying fuzziness of numerals and its pragmatic function, further studies are advocated in this thesis, and hoped that some enlightenment may be shed on the theory of numerals with fuzziness. Exactly speaking, it will make contributions to the function of fuzzy numerals both semantically and pragmatically, all of which will be of great help to those who are engaged in research of ancient Chinese poems or those who work in this field. Further more, the application study of fuzzy theory on numerals not only enriches linguistic theory but also guides the practical usage of numerals better.

2. Literature Review

Fuzzy linguistics began from 1960s and focused on the fuzzy phenomenon．As a combination of linguistic study and natural science，it is an interdisciplinary study lying between natural and social science which applies to the development of natural science as well as provides theories and methods for solving problems in formal language．The American scientist Zadeh (1965) published his paper Fuzzy Set in Information and Control and a comprehensive and deeper study on vagueness started. Later, a lot of scholars such as British linguist Joanna Channell, American linguists G Lakoff and Williamson began their study in fuzzy linguistics．

In China，the serious and real study of fuzzy linguistics started in the late 1970s．It is commonly acknowledged that Wu Tieping (1979) is the first author who uses fuzzy theories to analyze linguistic fuzziness，which symbolizes the birth of fuzzy linguistics in China．He published a celebrated article A Tentative Exploration of Fuzzy Language (1979), which the beginning of the study in China．The second book he published, entitled Vague Linguistics(1999) systematically introduced fuzziness and its applications which marked the maturity of the study on fuzziness in China．Wu Tieping’s study involves a wide range of issues of fuzzy linguistics：fuzzy words，fuzzy notions，facts that lead to fuzziness，the mutual conversion of precise words and fuzzy words，the history of fuzzy theories，the quantitative study of fuzzy language，and the relationship between fuzzy theories and lexicology, terminology, rhetoric and etymology. His achievements in these fields have greatly contributed to the development of fuzzy linguistics in China．

Wu Tieping’s studies has also inspired many Chinese linguists and researchers to this very theme．Among them are Shi Anshi，Wang Xijie，Xu Danhui，ZhongYing，Zhang Qiao，to name just a few. Some other scholars in China also have done much work on fuzziness in other aspects, Mao Ronggui (1999) conducted researches on fuzziness from the semantic perspective；Chen and Ran(1995)，Wu (2001)，Pang Jangrong (2003) analyzed fuzziness from the pragmatic aspect；Lv(1988)，Han(1998)，studied fuzziness from rhetoric angle；Wu(1996)，Wen (1999) investigated fuzziness from the cognitive perspective．Though much research has been carried out with great achievements in this area, we have noticed that the research interest has predominantly fallen on such aspects as fuzziness of language use in general．

Comparatively, there are not so many studies in regard to fuzziness in the use of numerals in language and the rhetorical and pragmatic functions of numerals in such use．What merits special attention in the future is to study fuzzy numerals deeply and systematically．

3. Application and Features of Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems

3.1 Application of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems

Numerals can be expressed either precisely or imprecisely. There are many ways to present the expected number. You can use a combination of adjacent numerals or a combination of numerals together with fuzziness to convey to the reader a fuzzy conception.

As presented above, numerals are symbols or marks normally used to represent quantity and sequence of the objects. The embodiment of fuzziness on numerals or numeral phrases brings about the nominal numbers in language use. Numerals in poems are always used as generalized nominal numbers for the purpose of acquiring strong expressive power rather than of showing the precise conception of quantity or sequence of objects. That is the phenomenon of fuzziness of numerals which contributes to the briefness and implicitness of language in the course of expression.

In certain circumstances, the fuzzy numerals indicate some uncertain quantity under different culture contexts. There is a poem,

“飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天”。(李白《望庐山瀑布》)

If readers do think it over or it is given a careful consideration, the numeral “九”will be proved imperiously. Can it be useful if kept for only 8? Or will it be not useful when kept for 10 or more? Actually, the“九”in this sentence does not really mean exactly 9. It is a mastery in Chinese cultures and called “mysterious figure” or“mysterious number”. Initially it is a reflection of our ancestors who can not be rational cognition of the world. Such a figure is generally only a dozen, mainly from “一”to“十”, the number“九”is a mysterious number. “九”symbols“the highest”,“the max”, meaning“the most ultimate”in the universe.

In Chinese expression, people also use fuzzy numerals to indicate something generally. The verse follows like this:

“七八个星天外, 两三点雨山前。”（辛弃疾《西江月》）

“七八个” does not really refer to only seven or eight stars in the sky ,and so does “两三点”. Here, the numerals “七八” or “两三” stands for “ a few” without any reference to numbers. The author, by way of fuzzy description of their environment, created a fuzzy mood and left readers more imagination.

The utterance, “南朝四百八十寺, 多少楼台烟雨中”, is used in formal occasion in ancient China. Here, the juxtaposed numerals “四百八十” stands for “many” without any reference to numbers. That’s a kind of tactful diction to show the vivid temples of the Southern Dynasties，and let readers be more clear to imagine to make a space for aesthetics, to a virtual accuracy, and really to constitution of fuzzy aesthetic mood.

In addition, numerals with fuzzy meaning in most circumstances suggest exaggeration of the quantity, the depth, the width, the length of time and distance, etc. The numerals in “千军万马” do not stand for precise number, but magnify the quantity of soldiers and horses to imply the splendid and forceful army in the battle. In Li Bai’s poem “白发三千丈，缘愁似个长”, the numeral does not present an exact number, but a boast of the length of gray hair. By this, the readers may feel the sadness and gloom of the protagonist.

All in all, fuzzy numerals often inevitably have an extension of meaning in certain contexts, inspiring readers with imagination and speculation.

3.2 Features of Fuzzy Numerals in Ancient Chinese Poems

In the previous part, we have discussed the application of fuzzy numerals and finally made a conclusion that fuzziness of numerals exists unavoidably. Besides, it is necessary for us to study the features of fuzzy numerals in ancient Chinese poems. In this part, our concerns will be focused on the features of them.

According to the examples of fuzzy numerals shown above, the most typical characteristic of fuzzy numerals is indefiniteness which indicates the indeterminacy of referential boundary. For example,

“三人行，必有我师。” (《论语·述而》)

“三思而后行。” (《论语·公冶长》)

In the first sentence，“三人” doesn’t exactly refer to“three people”，but just expresses the small quantity to show one’s modesty even when he stays with other people who are not as capable as himself．But in the second idiom，“三思”is used to emphasize the largeness of the quantities which means you should think it over and take everything into account before you do something. Accordingly, we can also say the indefiniteness of fuzzy numerals denies the traditional two-valued logic towards things.

By mentioning the variability of fuzzy numerals, we indicate the fuzzy and precise meaning of numerals can be transformed into each other under certain conditions.

On one hand, fuzzy meaning of the numeral can be transformed into the precise one in a certain context of situation. Take the numerals in an ancient Chinese poem as an example,

“三顾频烦天下计，两朝开济老臣心。” (杜甫《蜀相》)

when “三” means two items of the same kind or a pair, it is precise.

Though the words we say in our daily life are fuzzy, they become less fuzzy when concerned with meanings of the words. They can be transformed into the fuzzy one in a certain context of situation. In the following poems, we can find such expressions.

“风休住，蓬舟吹向三山去。” (李清照《渔家傲》)

“三山” doesn’t mean any three mountains here, but the legendary three holy mountains including Penglai，Fangzhang，Leizhou located in the Bohai Sea．It is said that these three mountains are the places where immortals live．The words mean the dream world where the poet wants to go．Therefore, we can draw a conclusion that the fuzzy meaning of a word or the precise one is convertible or changeable.

Fuzzy numerals consist in poems universally regardless of structures. Rational use of repetition as a rhetorical method not only seems wordy but can enhance the appeal of the language and improve language effects．In Chinese poems, repetition of numerals is much more efficient in creating phonological effects．

(1)“蜀地曾闻子规鸟，宣城又见杜鹃花。

一叫一回肠一断，三春三月忆三巴。”(杜牧《宣城见杜鹃花》)

“Parallelism achieves ideal balance and rhythms in poetry．More importantly, it helps poetry reinforce its ideas and images. Usually, parallel structure is formed by words of the sanely function，equivalent items and patterns of the sanely，which are pointed out in the following．”(Du Jing,2009:22)

(2)“一东一西垄头水，一聚一散天边路.

一来一去道上客，一颠一倒池中树。”(王建《古谣》)

(3)“一篙一橹一渔舟，一个渔翁一钓钩，

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