Meaning properties and relations

Meaning properties and relations

Ambiguity is the property of having two or more distinct meanings or interpretations (cf. Cipollone et al., 1998). A word or sentence is ambiguous if it can be interpreted in more than one way. Ambiguity can be caused by factors such as homonymy, polysemy, lack of sufficient context, etc.

Structural Ambiguity (phrases or sentences): To how many interpretations can the following sentences lead?

·         We need more intelligent leaders.( ability we need to change the leaders)

·         Visiting strangers can be dangerous. ( advice)

·         Moving sidewalks can be useful. (short way better way to walk on, in an airport)

Lexical Ambiguity: it is ambiguity that some sentences exhibit when they contain words that can

be interpreted in more than one way(those words are either homonymous or polysemous words).

What interpretations can you identify in the underlined words? What type of lexical relations do

you find?

·         We can fish:  verb object- homonymy

·         Look at the spring. Season object-homonymy

·         John met his wife near a bank. Bank of park- bank where you can have save your money: Homonymy

Consider the following dialogue:

A: what chances do i have for raise?

B: Two. Slim and fat.

Does fat mean the same thing as slim in the language, or is one of these words being used

Nonliterally? Defend your answer.

No, fat doesn't mean the same thing for Slim. In this case it has a different connotation, in

Other words it has a nonliteral meaning.