武汉理工大学：《英语言学》课程教学资源（PPT课件讲稿，英文版）A Tentative Probe into Ambiguity

A Tentative Probe into Ambiguity Eng|ih0301周方舟

1 A Tentative Probe into Ambiguity English 0301周方舟

A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambiguity TUMBLEWEEDS Tom K. Ryan rL和s 阳AL0HBs 怎我科E AH90神汇B ARST SNTHHEnC 护AL HD }AMT旧以 HIVES c1978 United Fealures Syndicate, Courtesy of Field Newspaper Syndicate

2 A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambiguity

A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambig uity THE WIZARD OF ID Brant Parker and Johnny B Mc‰ 5师可T DEsMiN WOULD TUEN CN PINS CHER s、州AND广 :1.:t川 ILI ilit x By permission of Johnny Hart and Field Enterprises, inc

3 A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambig uity

Types of Ambiguity 1. Categorial ambiguity 2 Word sense ambiguity 3. Structural ambiguity 4. Referential ambiguity 5. Ellipsis

4 Types of Ambiguity • 1. Categorial ambiguity • 2. Word sense ambiguity • 3. Structural ambiguity • 4. Referential ambiguity • 5. Ellipsis

1 Types of ambiguity Categorial ambiguity Nour verb!"Time me on the last lap . Adjedtive: "Time travel is not likely in my life time But what about Time flies like an arrow o There are supposed to be 5 parses for this sentence, with TIM E being used as a noun, verb and adjective!

5 1 Types of ambiguity : Categorial ambiguity •Noun : "Time is money" •Verb: "Time me on the last lap" •Adjective: "Time travel is not likely in my life time" •But what about... •"Time flies like an arrow" •There are supposed to be 5 parses for this sentence, with TIM E being used as a noun, verb and adjective!

2 Types of ambiguity: Word sense ambiguity Three sentences using the word CHARGED with differ ent meanings: Electrical The battery was charged with jump leads Legal: Thief was charged by PC Smith Responsibility: The lecturer was charged with student recruitment

6 2 Types of ambiguity: Word sense ambiguity Three sentences using the word CHARGED with differ ent meanings: Electrical : "The battery was charged with jump leads" Legal: "Thief was charged by PC Smith" Responsibility: "The lecturer was charged with student recruitment

3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity "Ydu can have peas and beans or carrots with the set meal" Peas] and [beans or carrots Peas and beans] or [carrots This is known as co-ordinate attachment

7 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity •"You can have peas and beans or carrots with the set meal". •[peas] and [beans or carrots] •[peas and beans] or [carrots] •This is known as co-ordinate attachment

3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity ● Another Example Put the box on the table by the window in the kitc h en Put the box (a specific box- the one on the table b the window) in the kitchen e Put the box on the table( a specific table-by the wi ndow in the kitchen) o This is known as prepositional attachment

8 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity •Another Example •"Put the box on the table by the window in the kitc hen". •Put the box (a specific box - the one on the table by the window) in the kitchen. •Put the box on the table ( a specific table - by the wi ndow in the kitchen). •This is known as prepositional attachment

3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity e. g. discuss [sex with Dr Ruth Westheimer Idiscuss sex] [with Dr. Ruth Westheimer e.g. [a large man's]hat a large [man's hatI

9 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity e.g. discuss [sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer] [discuss sex] [with Dr. Ruth Westheimer] e.g. [a large man’s] hat a large [man’s hat]

3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity I saw the man on the hill with a telescope NP PP PP NP: noun phrase PP: prepositional phrase VP: verb phrase Phrase: characterized by its head N,V,P)

10 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity