Which Words or Phrases are Ambiguous Determining Meaning

Which Words or Phrases are Ambiguous?

Determining Meaning n n Once you identify the issue, conclusion and the reasons, you still need to decide on the meaning of key words or phrases. You may misunderstand if you take what the words mean for granted.

How Do You Interpret These? Often a word or phrase can have many different meanings. These are real headlines: Drought Turns Coyotes to Watermelons Need Plain Clothes Security. Must Have Shoplifting Experience Foreclosure Listings: Entire State of New Jersey Available English Paper in Mexico Folds

The Confusing Flexibility of Words n Most words have more than one meaning. ¨ Parents of schoolchildren should demand that some web sites be blocked because they are obscene. ¨ What is the definition of obscene to a parent of a small child? Might yours be different?

Definition of Ambiguity A term or phrase is ambiguous when its meaning is so uncertain in the context of the argument that you need further clarification before you can judge how good the reasoning is.

Can You Find Ambiguity? The underprivileged do not have adequate access to the Internet. n Spaminator software will eliminate virtually all of your junk e-mail headaches. n Buy your next computer at PC Club. Their prices are reasonable, the service is fine and their store is nearby. n

Did You Find Others? The underprivileged do not have adequate access to the Internet. n Spaminator software will eliminate virtually all of your junk e-mail headaches. n Buy your next computer at PC Club. Their prices are reasonable, the service is fine and their store is nearby. n

Locating Possible Ambiguities #1 Use the stated issue as a clue for key terms or phrases. 2. Identify words or phrases that are crucial to how well the reasons support the conclusion. 1. You can ignore ambiguous words or phrases outside the issue, reasons and conclusion.

Locating Possible Ambiguities #2 3. Look for abstract words – words can have multiple interpretations if they are not clearly defined by the author. equality, privacy, pornography 4. Use reverse role playing. Adopt the opposite position. Would you define terms or phrases differently? A marketing company executive would have a different definition of spam.

Defining Words ¨Definitions are usually given in n Synonyms ¨ Spam is junk e-mail. n Examples ¨I receive spam about fake college degrees, enlargement, get rich offers and loans. n Specific ¨ Spam Criteria is unsolicited advertising e-mail sent to mailing lists.

The Dictionary? ¨ Dictionary definitions are usually just synonyms and examples. It’s a good start, but often not enough. Specific criteria are more helpful. ¨ In addition: Look at the context Create a mental picture of what the words represent.

Context ¨ The writer or speaker’s background ¨ How the term is traditionally used in this issue. ¨ Words and statements preceding and following the possible ambiguity. The next sentence may define the word. Example: Spam wastes valuable resources. The transmission uses network bandwidth and email server storage space.

Ambiguity Test Is the ambiguity important? Ask: ¨ Can you express two or more alternative meanings for a term, each of which makes sense in the context of the argument? ¨ Does the reason still support the conclusion if you assume one of the alternative meanings?

If it’s Still Ambiguous? After you substitute alternative meanings into the reasoning and see whether changing the meaning makes a difference, ignore any reason containing ambiguity that stops it from supporting the conclusion. End of Chapter 4 lecture