Hedging and Boosters in Conversations and Academic Texts

Аннотация

Hedges and boosters are essential linguistic devices that can be used in oral and written discourses. Hedges are important in conversing politely and cautiously, expressing the speaker’s or writer’s uncertainty, and convincing others of their statements. Boosters demonstrate the speaker’s or writer’s confidence, reinforce statements, and persuade others of their statements. This article studies linguistic devices: “Hedges” and “boosters” in communications and academic writings. Keywords: Hedges, boosters, communication, academic writing, cautious or careful language. 35 and 45 degrees Celsius. Introduction: The concept of “Hedge” was first introduced by American cognitive linguist Lakoff in According to Swales, in Anglo-American formal written 1972. According to Lakoff, hedges are words and text, hedges are used extensively with the general goal expressions used to make things fuzzier or less fuzzy. of projecting “honesty, modesty, proper caution, and He regarded hedges as lexical items that can only exist diplomacy”. [4:174] in context. He considered that hedges are used to make For example: Archaelogists suspect that pickling and things weaker or stronger. [1:458-508] For example, preserving food has been around for thousands of Marc is sort of lazy. (weaker statement). He is very, very years. [3:430] smart. I really admire him. (Stronger statements) Hedges are also called “Cautious or Careful language”. Later, Lewin criticized Lakoff’s ideas and he argued that Because they are used to convey claims cautiously in “Natural language has boundaries and fuzzy edges… order not to be blamed for making mistakes on giving and consequently, natural language sentences will very inaccurate information. often be neither true nor false, but rather true to a The term “Boosters” was introduced by Janice Holmes certain extent and false to a certain extent.” [2:90] in academic writing in 1982, and he used boosters to So, nowadays hedges are linguistic devices such as strengthen the statements and show a strong words, phrases, clauses, etc. that are used to express conviction for a statement. In 1989, Myers defined opinions indirectly and politely by softening the speech boosters as a positive politeness device in scientific and expressing uncertainty. For example: 1. Perhaps, articles. you could try doing the way I asked you to. 2. You sound Later, in 1998, Hyland used boosters as communicative rude. strategies that increase the force of statements and In academic writing, hedges are used to reduce the show writers’ commitment. writer’s commitment to the truthfulness of a Eg. 1. It is definitely true that every citizen can get statement. Eg. Many types of fruit can be pickled. support from the government. 2. It is an undeniable [3:430] fact that dogs can be trained easier compared to other And also, hedges are used to show uncertainty. Eg. The animals. 3. I am sure that you can participate actively in temperature in this city in summer something between the training. Obviously, they have got support from the American Journal Of Philological Sciences 58 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2273) government. Table 1. List of hedges in Hyland’s study [5] About deduce (it is)known possibly reportedly tendency Almost doubt likely prediction seems theoretically Approximately estimate may predominantly seemingly (we) think Argue expect maybe presumably (can be) seen uncertain Around formally might presume seldom unclear Assume frequently more or less probability (general) sense unlikely Assumption given that (not) necessarily probable sometimes unsure My/our belief guess occasionally probably somewhat usually I believe however often propose speculate virtually Certain extent hypothesize ostensibly provided (that) suggest would Claim hypothetically partially (open to) question superficially would not (to be) clear ideally partly questionable suppose Conjecture imply plausible rare suspect Contention infer possibility rarely technically Could interpret possible relatively tend Table 2. List of boosters in Hyland’s study Actually conclusive essentially incontrovertible normally unambiguously Addmitedly confirm establish indeed obvious unarguably Always consistent with evidence indicate obviously undeniably Apparent convincing(ly) evident inevitable patently undoubtedly Apparently could not evidently (we) know precisely unequivocal Appear of course the fact (that) largely prove unmistakable Assuredly decidedly we find mainly rather unquestionably American Journal Of Philological Sciences 59 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2273) Basically definitely general manifest(ly) should well- known Certain that demonstrate generally most show will Certainly determine however must sure will not Certainty discern impossible (not) necessarily surely wrongly Clearly doubtless improbable never true Conclude (is) essential inc