The document discusses ambiguity in language. It provides examples of phrases that function as single words like "double yellow lines" and examples where the intended meaning is unclear, like jokes that rely on multiple interpretations of words. Lexical ambiguity occurs when the intended meaning of a word is unclear from the context. Headlines are given that contain ambiguous words that could have multiple meanings. Businesses sometimes use ambiguous names deliberately to attract attention. The document asks the reader to come up with an ambiguous name for a shop they may open.

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2. WHEN A WORD IS NOT A WORD
We’ve looked at units of meaning
smaller than words – morphemes.
Sometimes units of meaning can be
larger than one word, eg:
Look at this question overheard in
a car park:
‘What do red double yellow lines
mean?

3. WHEN A WORD IS NOT A WORD
The noun phrase ‘double yellow lines’ is
being used as one word. There are other
phrases that are used in this way:
 Are you watching Big Brother tonight?
 How do you do?
 They want to make sure there is clear blue water
between their policies and those of the other
parties.
Can you think of any other examples?

4. WORDS AND MEANING
Do words always hold the same meaning?
If you look in a dictionary, the answer
seems to be yes.
But many people get in trouble by meaning
one thing but saying another.
A radio cricket commentator once said this
in a match where the bowler was Michael
Holding and the batsman was Peter
Willey:
‘The bowler’s Holding, the batsman’s
Willey’

5. WHY IS THERE CONFUSION IN THESE?
1 . Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a
banana.
2 . Q: What is George W. Bush’s position on
Roe vs. Wade? (A famous court judgement
in the USA) A: He really doesn’t care how
people get out of New Orleans.
3 . I still miss my ex-husband. But my aim is
improving.
4 . Notice in a field: The farmer allows
walkers to cross the field for free, but the
bull charges.

6. LEXICAL AMBIGUITY
This occurs when it is not possible
to decide on the intended
meaning of a word.
Identify the problem word in each
of the headlines on the next slide.

7. TROOPS GRILL RUMSFELD OVER IRAQ
IRAN REMOVES UN’S NUCLEAR SEALS
US OFFENSIVE IN EUPHRATES REGION
WATERVOLE SLIDE ‘CAN BE HALTED’
BIRD FLU FOUND IN TURKEY
TOASTING SHAKESPEARE IN ARMENIA

8. SOMETIMES IT’S DELIBERATE:
Sometimes shops and businesses exploit
potential ambiguity to create interesting
names.
Imagine you are opening either a
hairdressers, fish and chip shop, pet
shop or health food shop. (Or another
kind of shop) Come up with a name that
uses ambiguity of meaning.

9. WHAT ABOUT THESE:

10. A YEAR OF MONTHS YEARNING FOR METHS
Jan, you're a thirsty upstart, but
If a brewery be near I'd
March
A prolific distance, and
Maybe over that
Dune we'd
Duly find company more
August where
Sipped amber they
Concoct over
Enough embers to
Dissemble a warmth more welcome than any old bar'en parched land!