NON-LEXICAL STRATEGIC HEDGES IN WRITTEN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE
NON-LEXICAL STRATEGIC HEDGES IN WRITTEN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on the linguistic realizations and pragmatic functions of non-lexical strategic hedges in the current written academic discourse. By summarizing the three types of non-lexical strategic hedges occurring in research articles previously identified by Ken Hyland ‒ reference to limited knowledge, reference to limitations of model, theory or method and reference to experimental limitations, this contribution aims to draw attention to rhetorical strategies specific to scientific reporting and thus to facilitate their identification and understanding. However, the appropriate interpretation of non-lexical strategic hedges depends on the readers' level of professional expertise as well as on their familiarity with the conventions of scientific reporting established in a certain discourse community.

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