INVESTIGATING AMBIGUITY: A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF INTENTIONAL AND UNINTENTIONAL AMBIGUITY
Keywords:
linguistic ambiguity notion, semantic analysis, intentional/conscious ambiguity, unintentional/subconscious ambiguity, interpretation of meaning, transformational rulesAbstract
The article concerns the concept of ambiguity in terms of its intentional vs unintentional usage with reference to phonology, grammar and lexis, presenting the corresponding reasons and consequences in everyday communication. Ambiguity as a linguistic phenomenon has already been in the focus of investigation from different points of view, namely phonological, grammatical and lexical. Taking into account the issues mentioned above, the article dwells on both intentional and unintentional ambiguity or in other words its conscious and subconscious aspects. The analysis carried out covers different notions of the phenomena being compared, contrasted and described with reference to grammar, phonology and lexis. The comparison between conscious and subconscious ambiguity has proved that intentional usage of ambiguous items is aimed at making everyday communication more expressive and vivid appealing to our sense of humour, while subconscious ambiguity may be treated as a beneficial aspect, but it also may result in confusion and embarrassment. Intentional ambiguity turned out to be quite effective in advertising and, thus. may be in the focus of further studies.
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