ENGL 290: Introduction to Linguistics

LEXICAL VS. STRUCTURAL AMBIGUITY

Below are five crash blossoms taken from various sites on the Internet. For each one, (a) state the two
possible interpretations in plain words via paraphrases; (b) state whether or not the headline is lexically
ambiguous or structurally ambiguous; (c) locate the source of the ambiguity, whether word or phrase; (d)
describe how the source causes the ambiguity (for instance, a word in the headline has two meanings). For
structural ambiguity, explain the two structures in terms of which words go together more closely, or who is
doing the action, etc. Sometimes a lexical ambiguity causes a structural one. If you notice such a case, try to
explain it. One is done for you as a model.

Model:

Eye Drops Off Shelf

A lexical ambiguity leads to a structural ambiguity. The ambiguous string is eye drops, which can be either
a compound word naming medicinal liquids which we use to relieve eye problems, or a subject-verb pair in
which an eye falls.
Interpretation 1: Eye drops have been taken off of the shelves of a drug store for some reason: [[Eye drops]
off shelf]
Interpretation 2: An eye fell from a shelf: [[Eye] drops off shelf]

Your headlines:

(1) Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
(2) Judge to Rule on Nude Beach
(3) Police Discover Crack in Australia.
(4) Satellite Tracks Cows From Outer Space
(5) Doctor Testifies in Horse Suit

Scroll to the next page for the key.
ANSWER KEY

(1) Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim

Structural ambiguity:
Interpretation 1: The squad is providing aid to a person who has been bitten by a dog.
Interpretation 2: The squad is helping the dog to bite a victim.

In the first case, dog bite is a compound noun which describes victim: [Squad helps [dog bite victim]]
In the second case, dog is the doer of the biting action, and victim names the object of the action: [Squad
helps dog bite [victim]]

(2) Judge to Rule on Nude Beach

Lexical ambiguity, which causes a structural ambiguity. The ambiguous word is on, which can be
interpreted either literally as identifying a location, or figuratively as part of the expression to rule on,
which we use to name the act of a judge pronouncing a decision in a lawsuit.
Interpretation 1: A judge is going to make a ruling regarding the status of a nude beach.
Interpretation 2: A judge is going to make a ruling on something while located on a nude beach.

The structural ambiguity then lies in what on goes with: in the first case, it goes with ruling and nude
beach is the object of ruling on: [Judge to rule on [nude beach]]
In the second case, on goes with nude beach, signalling that the nude beach is the location where the
ruling will take place: [Judge to rule [on nude beach]]

(3) Police Discover Crack in Australia.

Lexical ambiguity: The ambiguous word is crack. It could refer to crack cocaine, or it could refer to a
fissure in the ground.
Interpretation 1: Police have discovered a cache of crack cocaine somewhere in Australia.
Interpretation 2: Police have discovered a fissure in the ground in Australia.

(4) Satellite Tracks Cows From Outer Space

Structural ambiguity:
Interpretation 1: A satellite located in outer space is being used to track the movements of cows on the
ground: [Satellite tracks [cows] from outer space]
Interpretation 2: A satellite is being used to follow the movements of cows that come from another
planet: [Satellite tracks [cows from outer space]]

In the first case, from outer space describes the location of the satellite, and therefore modifies the verbs
tracks. In the second case, from outer space describes the cows, and therefore is part of a noun phrase
with cows.

(5) Doctor Testifies in Horse Suit

Lexical ambiguity: suit can refer either to a lawsuit or a clothing outfit.
Interpretation 1: A doctor has testified in a lawsuit that has to do with a horse.
Interpretation 2: A doctor has testified while wearing a suit made to look like a horse.