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Vagueness, Ambiguity, and All the Rest: Linguistic and pragmatic approaches
Edited by Ilaria Fiorentini and Chiara Zanchi
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 347] 2024
► pp. 10–29

Chapter 2
The role of ambiguity and vagueness in language change

| University of Bologna

In linguistic research, the concepts of ambiguity and vagueness are often confused and frequently invoked to describe synchronic facts and explain diachronic processes. This article illustrates the differences and similarities between the two phenomena, defines their position within the domain of semantic indeterminacy, and discusses their role in linguistic change. The examples show that while ambiguity is intertwined with various mechanisms of change, acting as both a source and a product of innovation, vagueness plays a marginal role, being mainly a side effect of ongoing change or a tool of communicative strategies of vague language. Moreover, intentional vagueness usually promotes speaker-driven innovations, whereas ambiguity can trigger hearer-driven changes that unfold broader diachronic scenarios.

Keywords: ambiguity, vagueness, generality, semantics, pragmatics, language change
Article outline
  • 1.Ambiguity and vagueness in language use
    • 1.1Ambiguity vs. vagueness
    • 1.2Three forms of semantic indeterminacy
    • 1.3The role of context and uncertainty
  • 2.Ambiguity and vagueness in language change
    • 2.1The role of knowledge and choices
    • 2.2Polysemy and ambiguity
    • 2.3Ambiguity as a source and a product of innovation
    • 2.4Metaphors and vagueness
    • 2.5Generality, ambiguity, and vagueness
  • 3.Concluding remarks
  • Notes
  • References
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