Genre Studies- Unit- III Ambiguity

AMBIGUITY

                When a word, sentence or phrase have more meanings or is called misinterpretations is called Ambiguity.

TYPES:

                There are two main types of Ambiguity

·         Structural Ambiguity

·         Lexical Ambiguity

STRUCTURAL AMBIGUITY:

                Structural Ambiguity arises when a sentence has more than one meaning due to the way words are arranged in that sentence.

                Structural Ambiguity also called syntactic or grammatical Ambiguity.

EXAMPLE:

·         The boy saw the man with telescope.

·         Her parents watered the flowers yet they died.

LEXICAL AMBIGUITY:

                When in a sentence at least one word has multiple meanings, it creates lexical Ambiguity.

EXMLPLE:

·         She is looking for a match

·         I saw bats.

DEFINITION IN “A GLOSSARY OF LITRRARY TERMS”

The use of single word or expression to signify two or more distinct reference or to express two or more diverse attitudes or feelings.

WILLIAM EMPSON “SEVEN TYPES OF AMBIGUITY”

         i.            METAPHOR:

When two things are said to be alike which have different properties. This one concept is similar to metaphysical conceit.

       ii.            OPPOSITE MAKING / PRODUCING A NEW IDEA:

It is also known as paradox.

                E.g.: i) “This is the begging of the end”

                     ii)” Save money by spending it”

      iii.            PUN (Word Play)

Playing with the meanings of the words (with the words having multiple meanings)

Basically making of funny statements using words humorously.

E.g.: A leopard does not change its spot ( Spot have two meaning one is living place another one is spot in its body.)

     iv.            MOODS PRODUCING ABSTRACT THOUGHT:

It is also known as Freudian slip (Uninternationl errors revealing subconscious feeling)

E.g: A child calls his/her teacher as “mom” accidently.

( In this situation, the audience or the readers finds a scope for a psycho analytic interpretations or multiple interpretations will come out.)

       v.            UNFORTUNATE CONFUSION:

Words producing a concrete thought.

E.g:

Speaker 1: What are you doing?

Speaker 2: I am lying on bed.

Here, the Speaker 1 may produce an image instantly as how “Speaker2” is lying (like a dog, like a cow). These things come to the mind instantly and automatically.

     vi.            FILL IT IN:

When the statement says nothing or incomplete and the readers are forced to invest a statement of their own.

    vii.            BINARY OPPPOSITIONS:

When we think of one idea or concept its opposite comes to our mind abruptly.

E.g.: Day – night / dark – bright / black – white (Exposing the fundamental divisions.)

 viii.            

     ix.