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Word and parsing ambiguity
1. Word and parsing ambiguity
Truth can be elusive as natural language in inherently ambiguous.
That is why grammar checkers are not very reliable.
Determining the meaning of spoken (or written) language can be very difficult.
2. Imply and infer
3. Syntax and semantics
4. Time and fruit
Words can be ambiguous when context is omitted (or distorted).
Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana.
In this case, the former "
flies" is a verb while the latter "
flies" is a noun.
This is a linguistic example of syntactic ambiguity sometimes called a "
garden path sentence".
Meaning: "
I don't smell good" vs. "
I don't smell well".
5. Parkways and driveways
Not all words mean what the words from which they are made mean. Speaking of parking, and driving, consider the following.
Why does one "
drive on parkways" but "
parks on driveways"?
6. Ticket ambiguity
How would you answer the question? "
Would you like a ticket?".
Scenario #1: The policeman with a stern look on his face says, "You should not be parking here. Would you like a ticket?".
Scenario #2: A friend says, "I cannot go to the concert. Would you like a ticket?".
Natural language is inherently ambiguous.
There was a farmer had a dog and bingo was his name, ...
Who is "
bingo"?
Aside:
Was the farmer named bingo or was the dog named bingo?
Invitation: We would like to invite you over for dinner.
Who is the invitation from?
Aside:
Is the invitation from friends or cannibals?
How is a computer supposed to decide if a human cannot understand what is meant?
7. Telescope
Consider the following sentence.
The man saw the woman with the telescope.
Who has the telescope?
Does the woman have the telescope?
Or, is the man using the telescope to look at the woman?
So, truth can be elusive as even language can be ambiguous.
8. Meaning
Natural language is inherently ambiguous.
It depends on what the definition of "is" is. Bill Clinton's grand jury impeachment testimony, 1998.
When a human cannot understand the sentence, how can a computer be expected to understand the sentence?
9. Paragraph of recommendation
Here is a paragraph of recommendation.
To whom it may concern: You wrote to ask me for my opinion of John, who has applied for a position in your department.
I cannot recommend him too highly nor say enough good things about him.
There is no other student of mine with whom I can adequately compare him.
His thesis is the sort of work you don't expect to see nowadays and in it he has clearly demonstrated his complete capabilities.
The amount of material he knows will surprise you.
You will indeed be fortunate if you can get him to work for you.
Source: Paulos, J. (1995).
A mathematician reads the newspaper. New York: Basic Books., p. 43.
That is, while (many) computer languages are designed to be unambiguous, natural language is inherently ambiguous.
10. Natural language
Projects promoting programming in "natural language" are intrinsically doomed to fail. Edsger Dijkstra (computer scientist)
11. Parsing ambiguities
There are parsing ambiguities In any language.
That is, written language can often be taken in more than one way.
Sometimes this is intentional. Sometimes it is not.
There are verses in the Bible that have parsing ambiguities.
12. Parsing arithmetic formulas
Parsing breaks a language notation into parts. The English word
"parse" comes from the Latin word
"pars" ≈ "part, piece, share". An arithmetic example is the following expression.
2 + 3 * 5
This can be parsed or interpreted in two ways.
2 + ( 3 * 5 )
( 2 + 3 ) * 5
The usual mathematical rule is that multiplication is done first and then addition.
Natural language does not have such default rules.
13. Philippians 1:4 Always
Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, [kjv]
παντοτε εν παση δεησει μου υπερ παντων υμων μετα χαρας την δεησιν ποιουμενος [gnt]
What does "
always" mean? Some choices:
Paul does this just in prayers that are for you.
Always in (every prayer of mine for you)
Paul does this in every prayer:
(Always in every prayer of mine) for you
14. Philippians 1:4
KJV: Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Greek: παντοτε εν παση δεησει μου υπερ παντων υμων μετα χαρας την δεησιν ποιουμενος
Latin: semper in cunctis orationibus meis pro omnibus vobis cum gaudio deprecationem faciens
Luther: (welches ich allezeit tue in allem meinem Gebet für euch alle, und tue das Gebet mit Freuden),
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