Abstract Ambiguity is a universal linguistic phenomenon。 In our daily communication, it plays both positive and negative role。 Linguistic ambiguity can lead to misunderstanding, becoming a large obstacle to communication。 But sometimes people use ambiguity deliberately in order to achieve an unexpectedly special effect。 Therefore, it is necessary for us to analyze linguistic ambiguity comprehensively and dialectically to avoid its negative effects to the greatest extent。 Meanwhile, people can make good use of its positive functions to reach a certain communicative objective。

Based on the theory of Pragmatics, this thesis combines theory with context。 It analyzes the negative effects ambiguity may bring to us and the actions people can take to avoid them。 What’s more, the thesis explores the pragmatic value of ambiguity i。e。 ambiguity can be intentionally employed in different linguistic situations to achieve certain special pragmatic purposes, and consequently demonstrate the significance of linguistic ambiguity study。 76728

Keywords: Linguistic ambiguity; negative effect; positive function

摘要歧义是一种普遍的语言现象。在日常交际中，语言歧义既有消极的负面作用，也有积极的正面作用，歧义可导致误解，造成交际障碍，而有时人们又故意运用歧义来达到意想不到的特殊效果。因此，我们有必要全面辩证地去分析语言歧义，从而最大限度上避免其消极影响，利用歧义的积极作用，达到一定的交际目的。

本文从语用学角度出发，结合语境，分析语言歧义会给人们带来哪些消极影响及如何避免这些负面作用；同时，探讨语言歧义的语用价值，即人们可以在不同语言场合有意地利用歧义以达到某种特殊的语用目的，从而展示研究语言歧义的意义。

毕业论文关键词：歧义；消极作用；积极作用；

Contents

1。 Introduction 1

2。 Literature Review 2

3。 The Definition and Causes of Ambiguity 3

3。1 Definition of ambiguity 3

3。2 Causes of ambiguity phenomenon 5

4。 Negative Effects of Ambiguity 7

4。1 Leading to the listener’s misunderstanding 7

4。2 Bringing unexpected troubles to the speaker 7

5。 Avoidance of Negative Ambiguity 8

5。1 Using cultural knowledge 8

5。2 Using shared knowledge 8

6。 Positive Functions of Ambiguity 9

6。1 Discourse functions 10

6。2 Rhetoric functions 12

6。3 Aesthetic functions 13

7。 Conclusion 14

Works Cited 16

1。 Introduction 

As a universal linguistic phenomenon, ambiguity exists in every language and on every linguistic level。 Worldwide attention has been received for many years in linguistic field, such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics etc。 Different linguistic schools investigated ambiguity from their own particular perspectives, which have produced many achievements。

Ambiguity has been explored in various linguistic fields, and many papers focus on how to avoid ambiguity in language use。 People may have a misunderstanding that ambiguity is totally negative and should always be avoided。 However, every coin has two sides。 There is no denying that ambiguity has its existing necessity since ambiguity is a universal linguistic phenomenon and can be found in every language。 A great deal of advantages of ambiguity is applicable to many occasions, although ambiguity sometimes hinders communication。 On one hand, negative effects of ambiguity should be avoided and eliminated as much as possible; on the other hand, positive functions of ambiguity can be applied to produce special effects。 So we should not be excessively exaggerated about the negative role of ambiguity。 We should recognize that, if the ambiguity used appropriately, it can also play a very active role。论文网