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CHAPTER IV RESEACH FINDING AND DISCUSSION
This chapter explains research finding and discussion of research finding. Research findings answer the research problem, there are: type of
ambiguity, the frequency of each ambiguity, the dominant type of ambiguity, the causes of ambiguity, and also the way to disambiguate ambiguity.
A. Research Findings
The writer submits the result of the study on ambiguity found in English textbook entitled Backpack 4. The writer was aimed at types of
ambiguity, the frequency of each ambiguity, the dominant type of ambiguity, the causes of ambiguity, and also the way to disambiguate ambiguity.
1. Types of Ambiguity
In this paper, the writer categorizes types of ambiguity using theory from Kreidler 2002: 41-169 and Kess in Fauziati 2009: 64. The
writer found three types of ambiguity: lexical ambiguity, referential ambiguity, and surface structure ambiguity. From the data source, the
writer found 175 ambiguous sentences, consists of: 43 data of lexical ambiguity, 74 data of referential ambiguity, and 58 data of surface
structure ambiguity. That data will be analyzed as follows:
a. Lexical Ambiguity
Ambiguity that is found in a single word is called lexical ambiguity. Lexical ambiguity occurs when a word has more than one
interpretation. Some Linguist divided lexical ambiguity into three types, namely: homonym, homophone, and polysemy. From the data source,
the writer found 43 ambiguous sentences, consists of 20 homonyms, 6 homophones, and 17 polysemes. The writer presents some ambiguous
sentence found in Backpack 4 as follows:
a Homonyms
Kreidler states that sometimes two words sound the same but have different meanings homonyms, and sometimes sequences of
words with the same pronouncing have different interpretation ambiguity 2002: 7. From the data source, the writer found 21
homonyms. The writer presents that data as follows:
1 Backpack Song Backpack 4: 1
2 It’s time to open Backpack and see what we can see.
Backpack 4: 1 3
Explore Backpack with me Backpack 4: 1 4
Backpack is full of fun things we use each day in school. Backpack 4: 1
5 Stories, puzzles, songs, and games--Backpack is really
cool Backpack 4: 1 6
Backpack is full of fun and facts, project and pictures, too Backpack 4: 1.
All sentences above are lexically ambiguous because the word Backpack has more than one interpretation. The first
interpretation is a bag with shoulder straps that allow it to be carried on students back. The word Backpack in this interpretation also
known as school bag, book bag, knapsack, and rucksack. The second interpretation is an English textbook entitled Backpack.
Sentence 2 clearly contains homonym that is in the word see. The word see has more than one meaning, there are: get, notice,
catch with the eyes, read, understand the information, and learn the knowledge. In 3, the word ‘explore’ also makes the lexical
ambiguous sentence, because the word explore can be interpreted in more than two ways, there are: check out, investigate, make a study,
examine and learn. Sentence 5 exhibits lexical ambiguity: the word cool can mean stylishly, fashionably, trendy, marvelous, amazing,
and impressive. The context of all phrases and sentences above does not focus
in one interpretation. So both interpretations above are true to be used in each sentence.
7 We’ll have lots of adventures. Backpack 4: 1
In sentence 7, homonym is located in the word adventures. The word adventures can be interpreted as the experience, the
outdoor activity, and the knowledge. The context of that sentence does not focus on the one interpretation. So both interpretations are
able to be applied in sentence 7 above.
8 I am a new student at a new school in a new town.
Backpack 4: 9 Sentence 8 above is ambiguous in lexical level since the
word new has duality meaning, those are: not existing before, and for the first time entry. The context of that sentence does not focus on
the word now to be the school or town that not existing before, and school or town that the writer attends now for the first time. So both
interpretations of the word now are true to be applied in this sentence 8.
9 Go up to other kids and introduce yourself. Backpack
4: 9 The sentence above is lexically ambiguous because the word
up has two meaning, that is: near, upstair, or higher place. The context of that sentence does not focus on the word up to be going
near the other kids or going to the other kids which are in higher place. So both interpretations above are true to be used in this
sentence. 10
You’re not eating right Backpack 4: 32 11
He could fall and slip and slide, and end up right on his backside Backpack 4: 38
Sentence 10 and 11 clearly contain homonym that is in the word right. The word right has more than one meaning, there are:
the opposite of left and correctly. The context of that sentence does
not focus on one meaning. So both interpretations can clearly apply in those sentences above.
12 You could hurt yourself in a fall, and then never ride
at all.Backpack 4: 38 Sentence 12 clearly contain homonym that is in the word
fall. The word fall has two interpretations, there are: an act of accidentally or drop to the ground or autumn. The context of that
sentence does not focus on one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be applied in those sentences above.
13 You’re our star, Erica Backpack 4: 56
Sentence 13 is clearly included homonym because that the word stars has two interpretations, there are: people that helps
animal or the famous people. The context of that sentence does not focus on one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be
applied in those sentences above. 14
Two years ago, Erica Summers started a toy animal company, Stars in the Wild Backpack 4: 56
Sentence 14 is clearly included homonym because that the word stars has two interpretations, there are: the company name or
the famous animal. The context of that sentence does not focus on one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be applied in
those sentences above.
15 Back then, students didn’t have notebooks. Backpack
4: 67 Sentences 15 clearly contain lexical ambiguity that is in the
word notebooks. The word notebooks can be interpret in two ways, there are: book or kind of laptop. The context of that sentence does
not focus on one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be applied in that sentence above.
16 In Thailand, people celebrate Loi Krathong, a festival
of light and water, on the first full moon in November. Backpack 4: 76
17 Festival of light in China Backpack 4: 84
18 Festival of light in India Backpack 4: 84
Sentence 16, 17, and 18 clearly contain a homonym that is in the word light. The word light can be interpreted in two ways,
there are: lamp or fire. The context of that sentence does not focus on one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be applied in
that sentence above. 19
After they light the candles and make wishes, people float them in water. Backpack 4: 76
20 People light candles or small oil lamps and leave them
on all night to drive away the darkness. Backpack 4: 76
In sentence 19 and 20 homonym is located in the word light. The word light can interpret as the experience; burn, turn on,
and kindle. The context of that sentence does not focus on the one interpretation. So both interpretations are able to be applied in
sentence above.
b Homophones
Homophones are also included lexical ambiguity. According to Sennet 2011: 11, the lexicon contains entries that are
homophonous, or even co-spelled, but differ in meanings and even syntactic categories. From the data source, the writer found 6
homophones. The writer presents that data as follows:
1 Endangered animals Backpack 4: 53
2 The Komodo dragon is also endangered. Backpack 4:
53 3
Why animals are extinct or endangered? Backpack 4: 55
4 How did a 12-year-old help endangered animals and
work with stars at the same time? Backpack 4: 56 5
Make endangered animal cards. Backpack 4: 60 Sentences above contain homophone that is located in the
word endangered. The word endangered can be interpreted in two different ways, those are: as endangered or a species seriously at
risk of extinction and as in danger or someone or something at risk
or in danger. Both of them have same pronouncing. The students usually confuse to choose the correct meaning. The context of that
sentence also does not focus in the one interpretation. So both interpretations of the word endangered are to be used in those
sentences. 6
Ask Holly day Backpack 4: 81 Sentences above contains homophones that is located in the
word Holly day. The word Holly day can be interpreted in two different ways, those are: as Holly day that is the column or people
name; and as holiday. Both of them have same pronouncing. The students are usually confused to choose which one is the true. So
both interpretations of the word Holly day are true to be clear of the sentence.
c Polysemes
Krifka in her book Lexical Semantics 1998: 1 explained the term polysemy as the phenomenon that one and the same word
acquires different, though obviously related, meanings, often with respect to particular contexts. From the data source, the writer found
18 polysemes. The writer presents that data as follows: 1
I like to help her with her homework because I’m smarter. Backpack 4: 4
2 I help her with her homework sometimes, because I’m
better at math and science than she is. Backpack 4: 8
Sentences 1 and 2 above are ambiguous in lexical level since the preposition with has duality meaning, that is: doing and
accompanying. The context of that sentence does not focus in the preposition with to be doing an activity or only accompanying. So
both interpretations of the preposition with are true to be applied in this phrase above.
3 Write them and call them once in a while. Backpack 4:
9 The italic word above is ambiguous because it has the
interpretation as the act of writing a letter; or writing a message by phone. The word call also has two interpretations, there are:
speaking or sharing with your friends in phone; and speaking or sharing with your friend face to face. No picture, addition context,
or reference to one clear meaning of the words write and call makes both interpretation becomes true to be used in this sentence.
4 Doug’s double bubble gum bubbles double. Backpack
4: 9 Sentences 4 clearly contain polysemy that is in the word
bubbles. The word bubbles has more than one meaning, there are: as a noun that means a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air or another
gas; and as a verb that means of a liquid containing bubbles of air or gas rising to the surface. The context of that sentence does not
drive into both interpretations. So both interpretations are true to be applied in sentence 4.
5 At The World’s Table Backpack 4: 26
Sentence above clearly contains polysemy that is in the word table. The word table has more than one meaning, there are: as food,
a piece of furniture, dining room table, living room table. The context of that sentence does not focus on the word table to be as
food, a piece of furniture, dining room table, living room table. So both interpretations of the word table are true to be used in this
sentence. 6
Yes. I’d like a can of diet soda. Backpack 4: 27 7
_____________ Tin drink diet soda. Backpack 4: 30 8
He doesn’t like diet soda. Backpack 4: 30 Sentence 6, 7, and 8 clearly contain polysemes that is in
the word diet. The word diet can be interpreted in two ways, there are: drink with reduce fat or sugar content, and food to lose weight.
The context of that sentence does not detail in the one of interpretations. So both interpretations of the word diet are correct to
be applied in sentences above. 9
Pineapples come from pine trees.Backpack 4: 33 Sentence 9 contains polysemy that is in the words pine
trees. The words pine trees have more than one interpretation, there are: an evergreen coniferous tree that has clusters of long needle-
shaped leaves or in bahasa means pinus and cemara. The context of that sentence does not clearly focus on one meaning. So both
interpretations of the words pine trees are true to be used in that sentence.
10 How did a 12-year-old help endangered animals and
work with stars at the same time? Backpack 4: 56 11
Then Erica went to the stars—Hollywood stars. Backpack 4: 56
12 Many stars have Erica’s animals. Backpack 4: 56
Sentences above contain polysemy that is in the words stars. The words stars can be interpreted in more than one way, there are:
actors, actresses or actors and actresss. The context of that sentence does not clearly focus on one meaning. So both
interpretations of the words stars are true to be used in that sentence. 13
On sunny days we used to have picnics by the stream. Backpack 4: 70
Sentence 13 above is polysemy since the word stream has duality meaning, that is: river or school or wind. The context of that
sentence does not focus on the word stream to be river or school or wind. So both interpretations are clearly to be applied in sentence
13. 14
Many stars have Erica’s animals. backpack 4: 56
Sentence 14 above is ambiguous in lexical level since the word animals have more than one meaning, that is: shape stuffed
animals or animal dolls, and the real animals. The context of that sentence does not focus on one meaning. So both interpretations of
the word animals are true to be applied in this sentence above. 15
Cristina Aguilera has polar bear. backpack 4: 56 Sentence 15 contains polysemy because the italic words
have more than one way to interpret, those are: polar bear doll; and the other meaning is the real polar bear. The context of that sentence
does not focus on one meaning. So both interpretations are true to be used in this sentence above.
16 Mandy Moore has a koala. backpack 4: 56
Sentence 16 contains polysemy because the italic words have more than one way to interpret, those are: koala doll; and the
other meaning is the real koala. The context of that sentence does not focus on one meaning. So both interpretations are true to be used in
this sentence above. 17
Other stars bought white tigers, harp seals, black leopards and gorillas. Backpack 4: 56
The sentence above includes polysemy because the italic words have more than one way to interpret, those are: white tiger
dolls, harp seal dolls, black leopard dolls and gorilla dolls; and the other meaning is the real animals. The context of that sentence does
not focus in the one of meaning. So both interpretations are true to be used in this sentence above.
Based on the analysis data above the writer presents the table of types of lexical ambiguity and the example of it as follow:
Table 4.1 Lexical Ambiguity
Types of Lexical Ambiguity Example
Homonym Backpack Song
Homophone Ask Holly day
Polysemy Many stars have Erica’s animals.
b. Referential ambiguity
