Ambiguity

Etymology of Ambiguity

The term “ambiguity” originates from the Latin word “ambiguitas,” which means “doubtfulness” or “uncertainty.” The prefix “ambi-” indicates “both” or “around,” while “agere” refers to “driving” or “doing.” Thus, ambiguity implies the presence of two or more possible interpretations or meanings in a single expression or statement.

Meanings of Ambiguity

The literal meanings of ambiguity are:

1. The quality of being open to more than one interpretation or having a double meaning.
2. The presence of multiple meanings or uncertainty in language or communication that makes it difficult to understand or interpret correctly.
3. The condition of being vague or unclear, making it difficult to determine the exact meaning of something.

Ambiguity in Grammar

Ut is a noun with its plural form “ambiguities.” It is not a verb. However, the verb form of ambiguity is “to ambiguous,” which means to make something unclear or open to multiple interpretations. For example, “The author’s use of language ambiguous the meaning of the sentence.”

Definition of Ambiguity

Ambiguity is a literary device that intentionally creates uncertainty or confusion in a text by allowing for multiple possible interpretations of a word, phrase, sentence, or entire passage. It can be used to add complexity and depth to a work, create a sense of mystery or suspense, or reflect the complexities of the human experience.

Types of Ambiguity

There are several types that can occur in literature:

1. Lexical: When a word or phrase has more than one meaning, resulting in confusion or uncertainty.
2. Syntactic : When the structure or arrangement of words in a sentence allows for multiple interpretations.
3. Semantic: When the meaning of a word or phrase is unclear or has multiple meanings.
4. Phonological: When the pronunciation of a word or phrase is unclear or can be heard in different ways.
5. Pragmatic: When the context in which a word or phrase is used creates uncertainty or confusion about its meaning.
6. Modal: When a statement can be interpreted in more than one way depending on the mode of the verb used

Common Examples of Ambiguity

It refers to a situation where a word, phrase, or sentence has more than one way to interpret it. Here are some common examples:

1. Homonyms: These words sound the same but have different meanings. For example, “bear” can mean a large mammal or it also means to tolerate something.
2. Polysemy: These are words that have multiple related meanings. For example, the word “bank” can mean a financial institution, a riverbank, or a place to store something.
3. Pronoun ambiguity: This occurs when it’s unclear which noun a pronoun is referring to. For example, “The dog bit the boy, and he cried.” It’s unclear whether “he” refers to the dog or the boy.
4. Syntactic ambiguity: This occurs when the structure of a sentence allows for more than one interpretation. For example, “I saw the man with the telescope.” It’s unclear whether the man or the speaker had the telescope.
5. Semantic ambiguity: This occurs when a word or phrase can have more than one meaning. For example, “Time flies like an arrow.” It’s unclear whether “time flies” refers to the passage of time or flies that travel quickly.
6. Cultural ambiguity: This occurs when there are cultural differences in understanding. For example, “I’ll call you back later” might be interpreted differently in different cultures based on expectations for when a call should be returned.

Literary Examples of Ambiguity

From “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot

“Do I dare Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.”

The ambiguity in this passage lies in the question of whether Prufrock will take action or not. He considers disturbing the universe but ultimately suggests that time may undo any decision he makes.

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

This poem has been interpreted in different ways, but the ambiguity lies in whether the speaker actually took the road less traveled or is simply saying that to make himself feel unique.

From The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

“You take somebody that cries their goddam eyes out over phoney stuff in the movies, and nine times out of ten they’re mean bastards at heart.”

The ambiguity in this passage lies in whether Holden is referring to himself or others. Is he projecting his own insecurities and weaknesses onto others, or is he accurately assessing the nature of people who are moved by fake emotions?

From Hamlet by William Shakespeare

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

This famous soliloquy is ambiguous in its meaning. Is Hamlet contemplating suicide or the possibility of taking action against his oppressors? The ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations and reflects Hamlet’s conflicted state of mind.

From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

This quote from Daisy Buchanan is ambiguous in its meaning. Is she advocating for women to be naive and ignorant, or is she commenting on the limited options available to women in a patriarchal society? The ambiguity reflects the complexity of Fitzgerald’s characters and themes.

How to Create Ambiguity

Creating it involves intentionally crafting words, phrases, or sentences, having multiple interpretations. Here are some ways to create ambiguity:

1. Use homonyms: Incorporate words having multiple meanings into your writing to create confusion or double meanings.
2. Use polysemy: Use words having multiple related meanings to create ambiguity in your writing.
3. Use pronoun ambiguity: Use pronouns without clear antecedents or that could refer to multiple characters to create confusion.
4. Use syntactic ambiguity: Use sentence structures that could have multiple interpretations to create ambiguity.
5. Use semantic ambiguity: Use words or phrases that could have multiple meanings in a given context to create ambiguity.
6. Use cultural ambiguity: Use language or references that may be interpreted differently by readers from different cultural backgrounds to create ambiguity.
7. Use unreliable narrators: Use narrators who may not be trustworthy or may have limited perspectives to create ambiguity in the story.

Benefits of Using Ambiguity

Using it in writing can have several benefits:

1. Stimulates the Reader’s Imagination: Ambiguity tends to make readers think deeply about what they’re reading. It allows them to draw their own conclusions. This can lead to a more immersive reading experience and make the reader more invested in the story.
2. Enhances the Complexity of the Story: It makes a story more complex and thought-provoking, by creating multiple interpretations and perspectives.
3. Allows for Multiple Meanings: It makes a piece of writing more inclusive by allowing readers to interpret the work in their own way. This can make the work more accessible to a wider audience.
4. Challenges the Reader: Ambiguity can challenge the reader to think beyond their initial assumptions and encourages them to consider alternative perspectives.
5. Increases Tension: It creates suspense and tension in a story by leaving the reader uncertain about what will happen next.

Literary Device of Ambiguity in Literary Theory

Ambiguity is a literary device that has been explored in various literary theories. Here are eight literary theories that discuss the use of ambiguity in literature:

1. Reader-Response Theory: Reader-response theorists argue that the meaning of a text relies on reader’s interpretation. Ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations, which allows the reader to engage with the text in a more active way.
2. New Criticism: New Critics argue that the meaning of a text relies on the text itself, not on the reader’s interpretation. Ambiguity, thus, is seen as a deliberate strategy used by authors to create complexity and depth in their writing.
3. Deconstruction: Deconstructionists argue that language is inherently unstable and that meaning is always in flux. Ambiguity is, thus, a way to subvert traditional meaning and create alternative interpretations.
4. Feminist Theory: Feminist theorists argue that language is gendered and that women have been excluded from traditional interpretations of literature. Ambiguity is, thus, a way to challenge gender norms and create alternative readings of texts.
5. Postcolonial Theory: Postcolonial theorists argue that literature reflects the power dynamics of colonialism and imperialism. Ambiguity in this theory is a way to resist dominant power structures and create alternative narratives.
6. Psychoanalytic Theory: Psychoanalytic theorists argue that literature reflects the subconscious desires and anxieties of the author. Here it is a way to express unconscious desires and create complex characters.
7. Marxist Theory: Marxist theorists argue that literature reflects the social and economic conditions of the time. Ambiguity is a way to challenge dominant ideologies and create alternative perspectives.
8. Structuralism: Structuralists argue that language and literature are organized into systems of meaning. Here it is a way to disrupt these systems and create alternative meanings.

Suggested Readings

1. Eco, Umberto. Six Walks in the Fictional Woods. Harvard University Press, 1994.
2. Fish, Stanley. Is There a Text in This Class? The Authority of Interpretive Communities. Harvard University Press, 1980.
3. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Translated by John Macquarrie and Edward Robinson, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2008.
4. Robbe-Grillet, Alain. For a New Novel: Essays on Fiction. Northwestern University Press, 1989.
5. Sontag, Susan. Against Interpretation: And Other Essays. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1966.