ambiguitet

Ambiguitet is the quality of being open to more than one interpretation. In linguistics, philosophy, and everyday use, an expression, sign, or statement is ambiguous when its meaning can be understood in two or more ways. Ambiguity is distinct from vagueness, which describes imprecision about boundaries rather than multiple distinct interpretations. The term originates from Latin ambiguitas, conveying doubt or uncertainty.

Ambiguity can arise at different levels. Lexical ambiguity occurs when a word has more than one meaning, as in bank (river edge or financial institution). Syntactic or structural ambiguity occurs when a sentence can be parsed in more than one way, as in I saw the man with the telescope. Semantic ambiguity involves multiple possible interpretations of the overall meaning, while pragmatic ambiguity depends on context, speaker intention, or shared knowledge.

In formal disciplines, ambiguity is usually undesirable. In logic, mathematics, and programming, precise syntax is sought to produce a single interpretation. Ambiguous grammars can generate multiple parse trees, and ambiguous statements leave room for different conclusions. In law and policy, ambiguity often leads to interpretation rules, protections for reasonable interpretations, or requires clarification.

Ambiguity can also be deliberate and productive. In literature, humor, and rhetoric, ambiguity invites multiple readings and stimulates reflection. Effective communication relies on context, punctuation, and shared background to resolve potential ambiguities.