Ambiguity & Transformations
Deny A. Kwary http://www.kwary.net Airlangga University
Ambiguity: a word, phrase or sentence with multiple meaningsSynthetic buffalo hides (NP) Synthetic buffalo hides (NP)
Synthetic
buffalo hides
Synthetic buffalo
hides
Buffalo hides that are synthetic.
Hides of synthetic buffalo.
Ambiguities often lead to humorous results For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers. what does thick legs and large drawers refer to? The desk or the lady?
Structural Ambiguity (1) The boy saw the man with the telescopeSNP Aux VP
Det
N
VDet
NPN P
PPNP
DetThe boy past saw the
N
man with the telescope
Structural Ambiguity (2) The boy saw the man with the telescopeS NP Det N Aux V Det N P Det The boy past saw the VP NP PP NP N
man with the telescope
Draw two phrase structure trees representing the two meanings of the sentence: The magician touched the child with the wand.Be sure you indicate which meaning goes with which tree.
Declarative InterrogativeThe boy will leave. S NP Aux VP
Move the auxiliary to the left of the subject.Will the boy leave? S Aux NP VP
Det
Nwill
Vleave Will
Detthe
N
V
The boy
boy leave
The deep structure
The surface structure
The Wh Movement Surface structure: Which car should the man repair? Deep structure: S
NP Det N
Aux V
VP NP Det N
The
man
should repair
which
car
Draw the deep structure of the following sentences (adapted from #10 & 11, p.242)1. Will the boss hire Hillary?2. Is that player leaving the team? 3. Who should the director call? 4. What is Joanne eating?
Thats All For TodaySee You Next Week
Deny A. Kwary http://www.kwary.net Airlangga University