Meaning of Ambiguity
The word “ambiguity” is derived from the Latin word ambiguus, which means “uncertainty” or “something that has multiple meanings.” Ambiguity is when a word, phrase, or statement can be interpreted in different ways. While it can be unintentional in some cases, many writers intentionally use ambiguity as a writing tool to make their writing more intriguing.
Examples of ambiguous statements:
- I walked my cat wearing pajamas today.
Ambiguity: Was the cat wearing pajamas, or was the person who took the cat for a walk wearing pajamas?
- The chicken is ready to eat.
Ambiguity: Is the chicken ready to eat its feed, or is the chicken ready to be eaten?
- I saw her duck.
Ambiguity: Does duck mean the bird or to avoid or evade something?
- Call me a taxi, will you?
Ambiguity: Should the person be addressed as “taxi” or should a taxi be hailed for the person?
- I rode a pink bike wearing a black dress.
Ambiguity: Who was wearing the black dress? The bike or the biker?
Ambiguity in Literature
Ambiguity—like metaphor, allegory, symbolism, oxymoron, simile, and allusion—is a common literary technique used by writers. When employed intentionally, ambiguity can be a powerful writing tool that compels readers to think hard about what the writer is trying to convey.
Examples of ambiguity in literature:
Example 1: The Awakening by Kate Chopin
“Good-by—because I love you.” He did not know; he did not understand. He would never understand. Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him—but it was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone.”
In the above example, it is unclear whether the character was accidentally swept away by the waves or she deliberately let herself be swept off with an intent to die by suicide.
Example 2: The Sick Rose by William Blake
“Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.”
In the example above, it is unclear whether the poet is actually referring to the flower rose or to a woman’s chastity and purity.
Types of Ambiguity
There are three different types of ambiguity:
Narrative Ambiguity
Narrative ambiguity is when there is a lack of clarity about a plot or a character. If a character has unclear motives or a plot of the story raises doubts and questions in a reader’s mind, then it can be said that the character or the plot is ambiguous.
Syntactic Ambiguity
Also called structural and grammatical ambiguity, syntactic ambiguity is when one sentence can have different meanings or interpretations. In the case of syntactic ambiguity, context plays an important role in understanding what a writer is hinting at.
Lexical Ambiguity
Lexical ambiguity, also called semantic ambiguity, is when a single word has multiple meanings. This type of ambiguity is common when homonyms or homophones are used in a sentence.
Ways to Avoid Unintentional Ambiguity
It is possible to avoid unintentional ambiguity by following grammatical rules. Following parallelism rules while writing also helps put together appropriate sentences.
Below are some other ways to keep away from ambiguity:
- Use proper punctuation.
- Pay attention to sentence structure. Reconstruct sentences that are confusing or difficult to understand.
- Provide clarification or elaboration where necessary.
- Make sure prepositional phrases are properly placed in sentences.
Though writers use ambiguity as a creative writing device, it’s best to steer clear of ambiguity when it comes to non-fictional writing. In fact, ambiguity in speech can lead to misapprehension and should therefore be avoided as well.
