A Study Of Intentional Ambiguity In English From The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

Ambiguity is a universal linguistic phenomenon, which exists in every language. English is no exception. From the perspective of communicative effects, ambiguity is divided into two categories: unintentional ambiguity and intentional ambiguity. The former reflects the structural contradiction of language and may prevent effective communication. It should be avoided and eliminated. The latter is that a speaker, according to the needs of communication, creatively uses some features of language for setting off the atmosphere by contrast, making expressions vivid or producing unexpected, humorous and even comic artistic effects so as to achieve his or her particular purpose in the specific context. The present study deals mainly with intentional ambiguity.Given the complexity of intentional ambiguity, the study of it should be multi-level, multi-angle and comprehensive. Belgian pragmaticist Jef Verschueren puts forward a new pragmatics theory known as the Pragmatic Perspective, which further develops the Theory of Adaptation (Adaptation Theory for short) he advanced before. Verschueren assumes language use to be a continuous making of linguistic choices. He proposes three properties of language, i.e. variability, negotiability and adaptability and advances four'angles of investigation', i.e. the contextual correlates of adaptability, the structural objects of adaptability, the dynamics of adaptability and salience of the adaptation process. Therefore, the present study aims to explore intentional ambiguity phenomenon in the light of Adaptation Theory. It is claimed that⑴with the aim of achieving some unexpected purposes, people must creatively use languages. Intentional ambiguity as ways of expression is both an embodiment of linguistic choices and a strategy of language users'realizing their goals;⑵context keeps being generated and changing in the process of communication. In addition, the making of choices will be correspondingly adjusted with different degree of salience in different contexts. Intentional ambiguity as a linguistic choice is the result of language users'dynamic adaptation to contextual factors so as to achieve their purposes.The present study is a beneficial attempt, which may help language users comprehensively and systematically understand intentional ambiguity or appropriately use it so as to bring a striking effect in communication.