Exercise Different types of ambiguity: Difference between revisions
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== Structural ambiguity == | == Structural ambiguity == | ||
Watch the following | Watch the following Youtube video and answer the questions below: | ||
<embedvideo service="youtube" dimensions="400">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUrgynlkXVA</embedvideo><br>(URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUrgynlkXVA, checked June 4, 2014. Excerpt from the film ''Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang'') | |||
# Find the ambiguous sentence. | # Find the ambiguous sentence. | ||
# Provide unambiguous paraphrases for the two readings. | # Provide unambiguous paraphrases for the two readings. | ||
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Check your solutions here | Check your solutions here | ||
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# The sentence is: ''I want you to picture a bullet inside your head.'' | |||
# Reading 1: ''I want you to picture a bullet that is inside your head.''<br>Reading 2: ''I want you to picture inside your head the following: a bullet.'' | |||
# Reading 1: The preposition phrase ''inside your head'' is an adjunct to the noun ''bullet''.<br>Reading 2: The preposition phrase ''inside your head'' is an adjunct to the verb ''picture''. | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> |
Latest revision as of 17:33, 3 April 2016
Different types of ambiguity
The following material is an adapted form of material created by student participants of the project e-Learning Resources for Semantics (e-LRS).
Involved participants: Nicki, Marc M, Leo, Anna Böcher, Lorena
2. Which two meanings does the following sentence contain? Paraphrase them.
We need more intelligent administrators.
Check your solutions here
Here we have a case of structural ambiguity, i.e. the ambiguity arises on the sentence level.
There are two different ways how this sentence can be read:
Possibility 1:
We have enough administrators, but they are not bright enough and need to become more intelligent.
Here, more is used as a comparative particle. So, more intelligent forms one constituent.
Possibility 2:
We do not have enough administrators and need more administrators who are intelligent.
3. Think of an ambiguous phrase or sentence on your own and explain its ambiguity.
Check your solutions here
1. I rushed out and killed a huge lion in my pajamas! - How did the lion get in your pajamas?
2. Man in restaurant: I will have two lamb-chops. And make them lean, please. - Waiter: To which side?
3. Why was Cinderella thrown off the football game? - Because she ran from the ball.
Structural ambiguity
Watch the following Youtube video and answer the questions below:
(URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUrgynlkXVA, checked June 4, 2014. Excerpt from the film Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)
- Find the ambiguous sentence.
- Provide unambiguous paraphrases for the two readings.
- Characterize the ambiguity in structural/syntactic terms.
Check your solutions here
- The sentence is: I want you to picture a bullet inside your head.
- Reading 1: I want you to picture a bullet that is inside your head.
Reading 2: I want you to picture inside your head the following: a bullet. - Reading 1: The preposition phrase inside your head is an adjunct to the noun bullet.
Reading 2: The preposition phrase inside your head is an adjunct to the verb picture.