Ambiguity
(Kroeger, P. 2005: p 21 ), defines ambiguity as a linguistic situation in which a single expression such as a word, phrase, or sentence can be interpreted in more than one way. This characteristic can arise from various sources, particularly when a word has multiple meanings (polysemy) or when the syntactic structure of a sentence allows for different interpretations. Kroeger emphasizes that ambiguity is not simply a linguistic flaw but rather an inherent aspect of language that reflects its complexity.
He also points out that context plays a crucial role in resolving ambiguity, as the intended meaning of an ambiguous expression often depends on the surrounding discourse and situational factors. Furthermore, he distinguishes between true ambiguity and context dependent references, clarifying that while some expressions may refer to different entities in different contexts, this does not necessarily imply that they have multiple senses.
E.g. He gave her a ring.
The ambiguity of this sentence can be resolved by means of the surrounding discourse. If you are at a jewellery store then the word “ring” means a piece of jewellery. However, if you’re talking about a phone conversation, it means he called her.
Types of Ambiguity
Lexical Ambiguity
Lexical ambiguity refers to the phenomenon where a word or phrase has multiple meanings or interpretations. This linguistic characteristic is prevalent in many languages and can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and humor in both spoken and written contexts. Lexical ambiguity arises primarily from the polysemous nature of words where a single word can have several related meanings or from homonymy, where different words sound alike but have distinct meanings. (Kroeger, P. 2005:p 80).
Homonymy: This type occurs when two words sound the same (homophones) or are spelled the same (homographs) but have different meanings. For example, “bat” can refer to a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment used in baseball. The bat flew in the dark, He hit the ball with the bat Homonyms can create confusion if the context does not clarify which meaning is intended. (Ibid).
Polysemy: Unlike homonyms, polysemy involves a single word that has multiple related meanings. For instance, the word head can refer to the upper part of the body or to a leader or person in charge. The meanings are connected through a conceptual relationship, making it easier for listeners to infer which meaning is being used based on context. (Ibid).
Grammatical Ambiguity •
Grammatical ambiguity, as discussed by linguist John Lyons, refers to situations in which a sentence or phrase can be interpreted in multiple ways due to its grammatical structure. This phenomenon arises when the syntactic arrangement of words allows for more than one possible interpretation, leading to confusion or uncertainty about the intended meaning. Grammatical ambiguity can occur at various levels of language, including lexical ambiguity (where a word has multiple meanings) and structural ambiguity (where the arrangement of words leads to different interpretations). For example, consider the sentence “The old man and woman sat on the bench.” This sentence could imply either that there is one old man and one old woman sitting together or that an old couple is sitting together. The ambiguity arises from the way the noun phrases are structured. (Lyons, J.1999).
The sentence “I saw a man with a telescope” is also structurally ambiguous, leading to two possible interpretations depending on how the prepositional phrase “with a telescope” is understood.
Interpretation 1: The speaker used a telescope to see the man.
In this interpretation, “with a telescope” modifies the verb “saw,” suggesting that the speaker used a telescope to see the man. The emphasis is on how the action of seeing was carried out.
Interpretation 2: The man had a telescope.
In this interpretation, “with a telescope” modifies “a man,” indicating that the man being seen is the one who possesses the telescope. The emphasis is on describing the man rather than how the speaker saw him.
Pragmatic Ambiguity
Pragmatic ambiguity refers to the phenomenon where a statement or expression can be interpreted in multiple ways due to the context in which it is used, rather than the inherent meanings of the words themselves. This type of ambiguity arises from the interplay between language and context, including factors such as speaker intention, listener interpretation, social norms, and situational variables. Unlike lexical or syntactic ambiguity, which stems from the structure or vocabulary of a sentence, pragmatic ambiguity is deeply rooted in pragmatics the branch of linguistics that studies how context influences meaning. For instance, if someone says “Can you pass the salt?” during a meal, the literal interpretation might be a question about ability; however, pragmatically it functions as a polite request. (Brown, P. & Levinson, 1987).
Phonological Ambiguity
Phonological ambiguity refers to situations in which a word or phrase can be interpreted in multiple ways due to its phonetic structure. This phenomenon is particularly significant in the study of semantics, the branch of linguistics concerned with meaning. Phonological ambiguity arises when words sound alike (homophones) or when the pronunciation of a phrase can lead to different interpretations based on stress patterns or intonation.
“I scream” vs. “Ice cream”: The phrases sound similar, leading to potential confusion in spoken language. The context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
Multiple Ambiguity
Multiple Ambiguity is a linguistic phenomenon where a word, phrase, or sentence can be interpreted in more than one way. It arises from the inherent flexibility of language and can lead to confusion or misinterpretation in communication. Within the broader category of ambiguity, multiple ambiguity refers specifically to instances where a single expression can yield several distinct interpretations simultaneously. (Saeed,J.2016). Multiple ambiguity includes the followings:
Lexical Ambiguity: This involves words that have more than one meaning. For example, the word “bat” can refer to a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment.
Grammatical Ambiguity: This occurs when the structure of a sentence allows for multiple interpretations. For example, “She watched the man with the binoculars.” This could mean that she used binoculars to watch the man or that the man she was watching had binoculars.
