Semantics 1, SoSe 2014

Material for the seminar Semantics 1, summer term 2014, Goethe University, Frankfurt a.M.

Mock exam file: File:Mock-exam-sose14.pdf

The examples in the text are based on Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The full text of the play is available on Projekt Gutenberg.

Task 1: Ambiguity

Consider the following ambiguous sentences.

1. For each of these, determine the type of ambiguity.
2. Provide an unambiguous paraphrase for the possible readings.

(1) a. Duncan trusted Macbeth because he was a thane.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: referential ambiguity
2. Reading 1: he refers to Macbeth. Paraphrase: Duncan trusted Macbeth because Macbeth was a thane.
   Reading 2: he refers to Duncan. Paraphrase: Duncan trusted Macbeth because Duncan was a thane.

b. Every king trusts a thane.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: scope ambiguity
2. Reading 1: every takes scope over a. Paraphrase: For every king there is at least one thane such that the king trusts that thane.
   Reading 2: a takes scope over every. Paraphrase: There is one particular thane such that each king trusts this thane.

b. Macbeth and Macduff are married.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: collective-distributive ambiguity
2. Reading 1: collective reading. Paraphrase: Macbeth and Macduff are married to each other
   Reading 2: distributive reading. Paraphrase: Macbeth and Macduff are both married, but not to each other.

b. Macbeth killed a king with a dagger.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: structural ambiguity
2. Reading 1: the PP with a dagger is a modifier of the verb kill Paraphrase: Macbeth used a dagger to kill a king.
   Reading 2: the PP with a dagger is a modifier of the noun king. Paraphrase: Macbeth killed a king who had a dagger.