On Syntactic Ambiguity [microform] / Robert R. van Oirsouw
- Bib ID:
- 5368468
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- van Oirsouw, Robert R
- Description:
-
- [Washington, D.C.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1978
- 24 p.
- Summary:
-
The source of syntactic ambiguity and facts concerning the resolution of such ambiguity are discussed in this paper. The attitude of qenerative linguists towards ambiguity is examined, and a working distinction is drawn between vaqueness and ambiguity. The consequences of this distinction are then examined for syntactic ambiguity and an ordering hypothesis for syntactic rules is proposed. The main issue is the ordering that must hold between optional and obliqatory rules. Three observations about syntactic ambiquity are presented: (1) it often escapes attention; (2) even when pointed out to a hearer, the hearer may find it difficult to resolve; and (3) disambiguation by paraphrase is often possible. It is shown that if a linguistic theory wants to take these three factors into account, it must be concluded that syntactic ambiguity is the result of the application of optional rules. The consequence of this conclusion, given the approach to rule orderino, is that for every "n" ways that a sentence is syntactically ambiquous, there must be at least n-1 unambiguous paraphrases. This consequence is tested on three well-known types of ambiguity. In conclusion, observations are made about possibly controversial points, namely, the definition of synonymy and disjunctive rules. (Author/AMH)
- Notes:
-
- ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Autumn meeting of the Linguistic Association of Great Britain (September 18, 1978).
- May also be available online. Address as at 14/8/18: https://eric.ed.gov/
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.
- Subject:
- Available From:
- ERIC
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1978
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.