4.2英语文学学习.pptVIP

A Tentative Probe into Ambiguity English 0301周方舟 A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambiguity A Common Linguistic Phenomenon: Ambiguity Types of Ambiguity 1. Categorial ambiguity 2. Word sense ambiguity 3. Structural ambiguity 4. Referential ambiguity 5. Ellipsis 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 TIME being used as a noun, verb and adjective! 2 Types of ambiguity: Word sense ambiguity Three sentences using the word CHARGED with different 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 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 kitchen. 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 window in the kitchen). This is known as prepositional attachment. 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity 3 Types of ambiguity: Structural ambiguity 4 Types of ambiguity : Referential ambiguity More than one object is being referred to by a noun phrase. E.g. After THEY finished the exam the students and lecturers left. 4 Types of ambiguity : Referential ambiguity Sue and Lisa gave John and Mark some grotesque horror face masks because they liked them. How many possibilities are there for “they” and “them” in the sentence? Then