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