Pragmatics Of Verbal Ambiguity

Ambiguity, a focus for linguists, represents the relationship between language form and meanings. It is believed by many researchers that ambiguity is an abnormal application of language. With the development of linguistics and the study of ambiguity- in great depth, it is noticed that ambiguity is not only of negative effects but also of unexpected favorable effects when properly used in certain context.Based on the previous findings in this field as well as the knowledge on Rhetoric, Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Pragmatics, this thesis performs a detailed exploration on language ambiguity, thus constructing a framework consisting of the definition, categorization, function and comprehension of ambiguity. The major findings are as follows. On the one hand, language ambiguity is categorized into four types, which are further illustrated by means of reference frame. On the other hand, linguistic as well as non-linguistic factors influencing the comprehension of ambiguity are explored, on the basis of which the cognitive inferential pattern of ambiguity is designed.As a matter of fact, ambiguity is a common linguistic behavior, which can make language colorful and flexible in the process of information transmission. Therefore, we should constantly carry out in-depth studies on ambiguity and make full use of it instead of excluding it blindly. This research, from the angle of cognitive pragmatics, meets with the requirement posed by linguistics and especially pragmatics for further exploration on ambiguity.