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Intentionality in the Use of Language Ambiguity: A Pragmatic Approach

 

ANDREEA TEODORESCU
Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu

Abstract

The paper analyses the concept of language ambiguity from the perspective of its relationship to the idea of intentionality. Speakers and writers can make use of language ambiguity either deliberately or unintentionally. The article examines instances when ambiguity is used intentionally, with a view to achieving various purposes, such as humour, sarcasm, literary discourse, etc. There are, on the other hand, instances when people use language ambiguity unintentionally, which may result in misunderstanding and miscommunication. Relevant examples of both kinds of ambiguity are provided for illustration.

Keywords: language ambiguity, intentional vs. unintentional ambiguity, newspaper headlines, puns, advertisements

 

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