The Elimination Of Ambiguity From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

Ambiguity is a universal linguistic phenomenon, which exists on every linguistic level and affects our correct understanding of language. For a long period of time, many linguists have showed great interest in ambiguity, but they have limited their study on semantic and grammatical level, which is a kind of static research. Disambiguation is usually carried out within the sentence. On the basis of analyzing the traditional methods of disambiguation, the author thinks that these methods don't seem to be effective for eliminating ambiguity in verbal communication. In view of this consideration, this thesis has made a comprehensive study of linguistic ambiguity from the perspective of relevance theory.This thesis holds that relevance is the basis for disambiguation. The process of ostensive-inferential communication is the process of disambiguation. In communication, the hearer properly uses stimulus and manifestive method and pays attention only to the information which has optimal relevance to obtain maximal contextual effects with the least effort. In this process, ambiguity is eliminated and successful communication is achieved.This thesis points out that recovery of proposition is also an effective way to eliminate ambiguity. The principle of relevance makes the hearer think that every utterance is closely related to the utterance before it; and besides, the contextual assumption provided by the proposition of the utterance before is the presumption which is easily obtained in understanding new information. The recovery of the proposition can help to eliminate ambiguity and correctly understand new information.The author believes that the research in this field can be helpful in English teaching. Especially in the present information age, under the new circumstances of multi-media teaching, teachers should make full use of all kinds of teaching equipment and methods to enlarge the students' cognitive context, narrow the cognitive distance between teachers and students, and thus achieve optimal relevance in communication with students.