In my last week's column, I discussed the first part of `ambiguity' in sentences. Here are more examples of semantic, syntactic and structural ambiguity types: We attended a seminar on personnel management at ACTech Sita attacked a person with a knife Prostitutes appeal to Prime Minister Stolen laptop found by tree Let us analyse the above examples of ambiguity .
We attended a seminar on personnel management at AC Tech.
This conveys two different meanings: The seminar topic is `Personnel Management at ACTech'. The seminar topic is "Personnel Management" and the venue is ACTech.
If the intended meaning was latter, then the ambiguity can be resolved by using proper punctuation or italicising the topic.
If the message is to be conveyed orally, then the speaker should pause after the phrase `personnel management'.
Sita attacked a person with a knife.
This conveys two meanings: Sita used a knife as a tool to attack a person. Sita attacked a person who possessed a knife. If the intended meaning is that Sita used a knife to attack a person, then the sentence should be rephrased.
Stolen laptop found by tree In the above example, the word `by', as a preposition, can mean either `near' or indicate cause. The two different meanings are: The stolen laptop was found near a tree.
The stolen laptop was found by tree (the tree causing an action).
Here are some more examples: We exchange anything -bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?
Hospital sued by 7 foot doctors.
Automatic washing machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.
Ambiguity can lead to humour.
Here is an example from the book The Language Instinct.
The comedian, Dick Gregory speaks of walking up to a lunch counter in Mississippi during the days of racial segregation. The waitress said to him, "We don't serve coloured people." "That's fine," he replied. "I don't eat coloured people.
I'd like a piece of chicken"
-rayanal@yahoo.co.uk