Ambiguity

July 22, 2009

I'm preparing a speech for later today on unrecognized ambiguity. Many sentences are ambiguous. Often we don't notice that these sentences are ambiguous, because we know what we intend to say. This probably explains many of the (reportedly) real newspaper headlines I'm using in the talk, most of which are worth reading again even if you already know them:

Ten Commandments: Supreme Court says some OK, some not

Federal agents raid gun shop, find weapons

One-armed man applauds the kindness of strangers

Autos killing 110 a day; let's resolve to do better

Dr. Ruth to talk about sex with newspaper editors

Enraged cow injures farmer with ax

Eye drops off shelf

Iraqi head seeks arms

Juvenile court tries shooting defendant

Killer sentenced to die for second time in 10 years

Kicking baby considered to be healthy

Two soviet ships collide -- one dies

William Kelly was Fed Secretary

Kids make nutritious snacks

Milk drinkers are turning to powder

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