1,564
个编辑
更改
跳到导航
跳到搜索
Moved page from wikipedia:en:Ambiguity (history)
此词条暂由彩云小译翻译，翻译字数共3781，未经人工整理和审校，带来阅读不便，请见谅。
{{Short description|Type of uncertainty of meaning in which several interpretations are plausible}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Ambiguous|the film|Ambiguous (film)}}
{{tone|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Alice 05a-1116x1492.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=Drawing of the back an anthropomorphic caterpillar, seated on a toadstool amid grass and flowers, blowing smoke from a hookah; a blonde girl in an old-fashioned frock is standing on tiptoe to peer at the caterpillar over the toadstool's edge|Sir [[John Tenniel]]'s illustration of the [[Caterpillar (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Caterpillar]] for [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]]'' is noted for its ambiguous central figure, whose head can be viewed as being a human male's face with a pointed nose and chin, or as being the head end of an actual [[caterpillar]], with the first two right "true" legs visible.<ref>"And do you see its long nose and chin? At least, they ''look'' exactly like a nose and chin, that is don't they? But they really ''are'' two of its legs. You know a Caterpillar has got ''quantities'' of legs: you can see more of them, further down." Carroll, Lewis. ''The Nursery "Alice"''. Dover Publications (1966), p 27.</ref>]]
'''Ambiguity''' is a type of [[meaning (linguistics)|meaning]] in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations [[wikt:plausible#Adjective|plausible]]. A common aspect of ambiguity is [[uncertainty]]. It is thus an attribute of any idea or statement whose [[intention|intended]] meaning cannot be definitively resolved according to a rule or process with a finite number of steps. (The ''[[wikt:ambi-#Prefix|ambi]]-'' part of the [[Terminology|term]] reflects an idea of "[[2 (number)|two]]", as in "two meanings".)
Ambiguity is a type of meaning in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations plausible. A common aspect of ambiguity is uncertainty. It is thus an attribute of any idea or statement whose intended meaning cannot be definitively resolved according to a rule or process with a finite number of steps. (The ambi- part of the term reflects an idea of "two", as in "two meanings".)
歧义是一种意义类型，其中一个短语，陈述或解决方案没有明确界定，使几种解释似是而非。模糊性的一个常见方面是不确定性。因此，它是一个属性的任何想法或陈述，其预期的意义不能明确地解决根据一个规则或过程与有限的步骤。(这个词的双重部分反映了“两个”的概念，就像“两种意思”一样。)
The concept of ambiguity is generally contrasted with [[vagueness]]. In ambiguity, specific and distinct interpretations are permitted (although some may not be immediately obvious), whereas with information that is vague, it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity.
The concept of ambiguity is generally contrasted with vagueness. In ambiguity, specific and distinct interpretations are permitted (although some may not be immediately obvious), whereas with information that is vague, it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity.
歧义的概念通常与模糊相对照。在模棱两可的情况下，允许具体和不同的解释(尽管有些可能不会立即显而易见) ，而在信息模糊的情况下，很难在所需的特异性水平上形成任何解释。
== Linguistic forms ==
Lexical ambiguity is contrasted with [[semantic ambiguity]]. The former represents a choice between a finite number of known and meaningful [[context (language use)|context]]-dependent interpretations. The latter represents a choice between any number of possible interpretations, none of which may have a standard agreed-upon meaning. This form of ambiguity is closely related to [[vagueness]].
Lexical ambiguity is contrasted with semantic ambiguity. The former represents a choice between a finite number of known and meaningful context-dependent interpretations. The latter represents a choice between any number of possible interpretations, none of which may have a standard agreed-upon meaning. This form of ambiguity is closely related to vagueness.
词汇歧义与语义歧义相对应。前者表示在有限数量的已知和有意义的依赖上下文的解释之间进行选择。后者是在任何一种可能的解释之间的选择，其中没有一种可能具有标准的商定意义。这种歧义形式与模糊密切相关。
Linguistic ambiguity [[Ambiguity (law)|can be a problem in law]], because the interpretation of written documents and oral agreements is often of paramount importance.[[File:Structural analysis of an ambiguous spanish sentence.svg|thumb|Structural analysis of an ambiguous Spanish sentence:<br /> '''Pepe vio a Pablo enfurecido'''<br />Interpretation 1: When Pepe was angry, then he saw Pablo<br />Interpretation 2: Pepe saw that Pablo was angry.<br />Here, the syntactic tree in figure represents interpretation 2.]]
Linguistic ambiguity can be a problem in law, because the interpretation of written documents and oral agreements is often of paramount importance.thumb|Structural analysis of an ambiguous Spanish sentence:<br /> Pepe vio a Pablo enfurecido<br />Interpretation 1: When Pepe was angry, then he saw Pablo<br />Interpretation 2: Pepe saw that Pablo was angry.<br />Here, the syntactic tree in figure represents interpretation 2.
语言上的模棱两可可能是法律上的一个问题，因为对书面文件和口头协议的解释往往是最重要的。对一个模棱两可的西班牙语句子的结构分析: 释义1: 当佩佩生气时，他看到了巴勃罗。释义2: 佩佩看到了巴勃罗生气。< br/> 这里，图中的句法树表示解释2。
=== Lexical ambiguity ===
The [[Polysemy|lexical ambiguity]] of a word or phrase pertains to its having more than one meaning in the language to which the word belongs.<ref name="SmallCottrell2013">{{cite book|author1=Steven L. Small|author2=Garrison W Cottrell|author3=Michael K Tanenhaus|title=Lexical Ambiguity Resolution: Perspective from Psycholinguistics, Neuropsychology and Artificial Intelligence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-J-fAgAAQBAJ|date=22 October 2013|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-08-051013-2}}</ref> "Meaning" here refers to whatever should be captured by a good dictionary. For instance, the word "bank" has several distinct lexical definitions, including "[[Bank|financial institution]]" and "[[Bank (geography)|edge of a river]]". Or consider "[[apothecary]]". One could say "I bought herbs from the apothecary". This could mean one actually spoke to the apothecary ([[pharmacist]]) or went to the apothecary ([[pharmacy]]).
The lexical ambiguity of a word or phrase pertains to its having more than one meaning in the language to which the word belongs. "Meaning" here refers to whatever should be captured by a good dictionary. For instance, the word "bank" has several distinct lexical definitions, including "financial institution" and "edge of a river". Or consider "apothecary". One could say "I bought herbs from the apothecary". This could mean one actually spoke to the apothecary (pharmacist) or went to the apothecary (pharmacy).
词汇歧义一个词或短语的词汇歧义是指它在该词所属的语言中具有多个意义。“意义”在这里指的是任何应该被一本好的字典收录的东西。例如，“银行”这个词有几个不同的词汇定义，包括“金融机构”和“河边”。或者考虑一下“药剂师”。可以说“我从药剂师那里买了草药”。这可能意味着一个人实际上与药剂师(药剂师)交谈或去药剂师(药房)。
The context in which an ambiguous word is used often makes it evident which of the meanings is intended. If, for instance, someone says "I buried $100 in the bank", most people would not think someone used a shovel to dig in the mud. However, some linguistic contexts do not provide sufficient information to disambiguate a used word.
The context in which an ambiguous word is used often makes it evident which of the meanings is intended. If, for instance, someone says "I buried $100 in the bank", most people would not think someone used a shovel to dig in the mud. However, some linguistic contexts do not provide sufficient information to disambiguate a used word.
使用歧义词的上下文通常能够说明这些词的意思。例如，如果有人说“我在银行里埋了100美元”，大多数人不会认为有人用铲子挖泥巴。然而，有些语境不能提供足够的信息来消除使用的词的歧义。
Lexical ambiguity can be addressed by algorithmic methods that automatically associate the appropriate meaning with a word in context, a task referred to as [[word-sense disambiguation]].
Lexical ambiguity can be addressed by algorithmic methods that automatically associate the appropriate meaning with a word in context, a task referred to as word-sense disambiguation.
词汇歧义可以通过算法方法解决，这种算法可以自动将恰当的意思与上下文中的一个词联系起来，这项任务被称为“消歧义性”。
The use of multi-defined words requires the author or speaker to clarify their context, and sometimes elaborate on their specific intended meaning (in which case, a less ambiguous term should have been used). The goal of clear concise communication is that the receiver(s) have no misunderstanding about what was meant to be conveyed. An exception to this could include a politician whose "[[weasel word]]s" and [[obfuscation]] are necessary to gain support from multiple [[Electoral district|constituents]] with [[mutually exclusive]] conflicting desires from their candidate of choice. Ambiguity is a powerful tool of [[political science]].
The use of multi-defined words requires the author or speaker to clarify their context, and sometimes elaborate on their specific intended meaning (in which case, a less ambiguous term should have been used). The goal of clear concise communication is that the receiver(s) have no misunderstanding about what was meant to be conveyed. An exception to this could include a politician whose "weasel words" and obfuscation are necessary to gain support from multiple constituents with mutually exclusive conflicting desires from their candidate of choice. Ambiguity is a powerful tool of political science.
多义词的使用要求作者或说话人澄清他们的上下文，有时还要详细说明他们的特定意图(在这种情况下，应该使用一个不那么模糊的词)。清晰简洁交流的目的是使接受者对所要传达的信息不产生误解。这种情况的一个例外可能包括一个政治家，他的“狡猾的话”和模糊不清是必要的，以便从多个选民那里获得支持，这些选民选择的候选人有着相互排斥、相互冲突的愿望。模糊性是政治科学的有力工具。
More problematic are words whose senses express closely related concepts. "Good", for example, can mean "useful" or "functional" (''That's a good hammer''), "exemplary" (''She's a good student''), "pleasing" (''This is good soup''), "moral" (''a good person'' versus ''the lesson to be learned from a story''), "[[righteous]]", etc. "I have a good daughter" is not clear about which sense is intended. The various ways to apply [[prefix]]es and [[suffix]]es can also create ambiguity ("unlockable" can mean "capable of being unlocked" or "impossible to lock").
More problematic are words whose senses express closely related concepts. "Good", for example, can mean "useful" or "functional" (That's a good hammer), "exemplary" (She's a good student), "pleasing" (This is good soup), "moral" (a good person versus the lesson to be learned from a story), "righteous", etc. "I have a good daughter" is not clear about which sense is intended. The various ways to apply prefixes and suffixes can also create ambiguity ("unlockable" can mean "capable of being unlocked" or "impossible to lock").
更有问题的是那些意义表达紧密相关概念的词。例如，“ Good”可以表示“有用的”或“实用的”(这是一把好锤子) ，“堪称典范的”(她是个好学生) ，“令人愉快的”(这是一碗好汤) ，“道德的”(一个好人与从一个故事中学到的教训) ，“正义的”等等。“我有一个好女儿”并不清楚这句话的本意是什么。应用前缀和后缀的各种方法也可能产生歧义(“ unlockable”可能意味着“可以解锁”或“不可能锁定”)。
=== Semantic and syntactic ambiguity ===
[[File:Comedic Wet Cat Food sign in an ASDA supermarket.jpg|thumb|Which is wet: the food, or the cat?]]
[[Semantic ambiguity]] occurs when a word, phrase or sentence, taken out of context, has more than one interpretation. In "We saw her duck" (example due to Richard Nordquist), the words "her duck" can refer either
thumb|Which is wet: the food, or the cat?
Semantic ambiguity occurs when a word, phrase or sentence, taken out of context, has more than one interpretation. In "We saw her duck" (example due to Richard Nordquist), the words "her duck" can refer either
= = 语义和句法模棱两可 = = = 拇指 | 哪个是湿的: 食物还是猫？当一个词、短语或句子脱离上下文，有多种解释时，就会产生语义歧义。在“我们看到她的鸭子”(例如由于理查德诺德奎斯特) ，词语“她的鸭子”可以指任何一个
# to the person's bird (the noun "duck", modified by the possessive pronoun "her"), or
# to a motion she made (the verb "duck", the subject of which is the objective pronoun "her", object of the verb "saw").<ref name="ReferenceA" />
# to the person's bird (the noun "duck", modified by the possessive pronoun "her"), or
# to a motion she made (the verb "duck", the subject of which is the objective pronoun "her", object of the verb "saw").
# to the person’s bird (名词“ Duck”，由所有格代词“ her”修饰) ，或者 # to a motion she made (动词“ Duck”，主语是客观代词“ her”，宾语是动词“ saw”)。
[[Syntactic ambiguity]] arises when a sentence can have two (or more) different meanings because of the structure of the sentence—its syntax. This is often due to a modifying expression, such as a prepositional phrase, the application of which is unclear. "He ate the cookies on the couch", for example, could mean that he ate those cookies that were on the couch (as opposed to those that were on the table), or it could mean that he was sitting on the couch when he ate the cookies. "To get in, you will need an entrance fee of $10 or your voucher and your drivers' license." This could mean that you need EITHER ten dollars OR BOTH your voucher and your license. Or it could mean that you need your license AND you need EITHER ten dollars OR a voucher. Only rewriting the sentence, or placing appropriate punctuation can resolve a syntactic ambiguity.<ref name="ReferenceA">Critical Thinking, 10th ed., Ch 3, Moore, Brooke N. and Parker, Richard. McGraw-Hill, 2012</ref>
For the notion of, and theoretic results about, syntactic ambiguity in artificial, [[formal languages]] (such as computer [[programming language]]s), see [[Ambiguous grammar]].
Syntactic ambiguity arises when a sentence can have two (or more) different meanings because of the structure of the sentence—its syntax. This is often due to a modifying expression, such as a prepositional phrase, the application of which is unclear. "He ate the cookies on the couch", for example, could mean that he ate those cookies that were on the couch (as opposed to those that were on the table), or it could mean that he was sitting on the couch when he ate the cookies. "To get in, you will need an entrance fee of $10 or your voucher and your drivers' license." This could mean that you need EITHER ten dollars OR BOTH your voucher and your license. Or it could mean that you need your license AND you need EITHER ten dollars OR a voucher. Only rewriting the sentence, or placing appropriate punctuation can resolve a syntactic ambiguity.Critical Thinking, 10th ed., Ch 3, Moore, Brooke N. and Parker, Richard. McGraw-Hill, 2012
For the notion of, and theoretic results about, syntactic ambiguity in artificial, formal languages (such as computer programming languages), see Ambiguous grammar.
由于句子的结构ーー句法，一个句子可以有两个(或更多)不同的意义，这就产生了句法歧义。这通常是由于一个修饰表达式，如介词短语，其应用是不清楚的。例如，“他吃了沙发上的饼干”，可能意味着他吃了沙发上的饼干(而不是桌子上的) ，也可能意味着他吃饼干的时候是坐在沙发上的。“要想进去，你需要缴纳10美元的入场费，或者你的代金券和驾照。”这可能意味着你要么需要10美元，要么同时需要你的代金券和许可证。或者它可能意味着你需要你的许可证，你需要十美元或一张代金券。只有改写句子或者使用适当的标点符号才能解决句法歧义。批判性思维，第10版，Ch 3，Moore，Brooke N. 和 Parker，Richard。麦格劳-希尔，2012有关人工形式语言(如计算机编程语言)中的句法歧义的概念和理论结果，请参阅二义性文法。
Usually, semantic and syntactic ambiguity go hand in hand. The sentence "We saw her duck" is also syntactically ambiguous. Conversely, a sentence like "He ate the cookies on the couch" is also semantically ambiguous. Rarely, but occasionally, the different parsings of a syntactically ambiguous phrase result in the same meaning. For example, the command "Cook, cook!" can be parsed as "Cook (noun used as vocative), cook (imperative verb form)!", but also as "Cook (imperative verb form), cook (noun used as vocative)!". It is more common that a syntactically unambiguous phrase has a semantic ambiguity; for example, the lexical ambiguity in "Your boss is a funny man" is purely semantic, leading to the response "Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar?"
Usually, semantic and syntactic ambiguity go hand in hand. The sentence "We saw her duck" is also syntactically ambiguous. Conversely, a sentence like "He ate the cookies on the couch" is also semantically ambiguous. Rarely, but occasionally, the different parsings of a syntactically ambiguous phrase result in the same meaning. For example, the command "Cook, cook!" can be parsed as "Cook (noun used as vocative), cook (imperative verb form)!", but also as "Cook (imperative verb form), cook (noun used as vocative)!". It is more common that a syntactically unambiguous phrase has a semantic ambiguity; for example, the lexical ambiguity in "Your boss is a funny man" is purely semantic, leading to the response "Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar?"
通常，语义歧义和句法歧义是密切相关的。“我们看到她的鸭子”这个句子在句法上也有歧义。相反，像“他在沙发上吃了饼干”这样的句子在语义上也是模棱两可的。很少，但偶尔，不同的解析句法歧义短语结果相同的意思。例如，命令“ Cook，Cook!”可以解析为“ Cook (名词用作呼唤语) ，Cook (祈使动词形式) ！还可以作“ Cook (祈使动词形式) ，Cook (名词作呼语) !”。更常见的情况是，一个句法上不含糊的短语具有语义歧义; 例如，“你的老板是一个有趣的人”中的词汇歧义是纯粹的语义，导致回答“有趣的哈哈或有趣的特殊?”
[[Spoken language]] can contain many more types of ambiguities which are called phonological ambiguities, where there is more than one way to compose a set of sounds into words. For example, "ice cream" and "I scream". Such ambiguity is generally resolved according to the context. A mishearing of such, based on incorrectly resolved ambiguity, is called a [[mondegreen]].
Spoken language can contain many more types of ambiguities which are called phonological ambiguities, where there is more than one way to compose a set of sounds into words. For example, "ice cream" and "I scream". Such ambiguity is generally resolved according to the context. A mishearing of such, based on incorrectly resolved ambiguity, is called a mondegreen.
口头语言可以包含更多类型的歧义，称为语音歧义，其中有一个以上的方式组成一组声音到单词。例如，“冰淇淋”和“我尖叫”。这种模糊性通常根据上下文来解决。基于不正确解决的歧义而对此类错误理解，称为 mondegreen。
== Philosophy ==
Philosophers (and other users of logic) spend a lot of time and effort searching for and removing (or intentionally adding) ambiguity in arguments because it can lead to incorrect conclusions and can be used to deliberately conceal bad arguments. For example, a politician might say, "I oppose taxes which hinder economic growth", an example of a glittering generality. Some will think they oppose taxes in general because they hinder economic growth. Others may think they oppose only those taxes that they believe will hinder economic growth. In writing, the sentence can be rewritten to reduce possible misinterpretation, either by adding a comma after "taxes" (to convey the first sense) or by changing "which" to "that" (to convey the second sense) or by rewriting it in other ways. The devious politician hopes that each constituent will interpret the statement in the most desirable way, and think the politician supports everyone's opinion. However, the opposite can also be true—an opponent can turn a positive statement into a bad one if the speaker uses ambiguity (intentionally or not). The logical fallacies of amphiboly and equivocation rely heavily on the use of ambiguous words and phrases.
Philosophers (and other users of logic) spend a lot of time and effort searching for and removing (or intentionally adding) ambiguity in arguments because it can lead to incorrect conclusions and can be used to deliberately conceal bad arguments. For example, a politician might say, "I oppose taxes which hinder economic growth", an example of a glittering generality. Some will think they oppose taxes in general because they hinder economic growth. Others may think they oppose only those taxes that they believe will hinder economic growth. In writing, the sentence can be rewritten to reduce possible misinterpretation, either by adding a comma after "taxes" (to convey the first sense) or by changing "which" to "that" (to convey the second sense) or by rewriting it in other ways. The devious politician hopes that each constituent will interpret the statement in the most desirable way, and think the politician supports everyone's opinion. However, the opposite can also be true—an opponent can turn a positive statement into a bad one if the speaker uses ambiguity (intentionally or not). The logical fallacies of amphiboly and equivocation rely heavily on the use of ambiguous words and phrases.
哲学家(和其他逻辑使用者)花费大量的时间和精力寻找并消除(或有意增加)论点的模糊性，因为它可能导致不正确的结论，并可以用来故意隐藏不好的论点。例如，一个政治家可能会说，“我反对阻碍经济增长的税收”，这是一个光辉普照的例子。一些人会认为他们反对税收是因为它们阻碍了经济增长。其他人可能认为他们只反对那些他们认为会阻碍经济增长的税收。在写作中，可以重写句子以减少可能的误解，或者在“ tax”后面加一个逗号(传达第一种意思) ，或者将“ which”改为“ that”(传达第二种意思) ，或者以其他方式重写句子。狡猾的政治家希望每个选民都能以最令人满意的方式解读这份声明，并认为政治家支持每个人的观点。然而，反过来也可能是正确的ーー如果说话者使用歧义(有意或无意) ，对手可以把积极的陈述变成不好的陈述。模棱两可和模棱两可的逻辑谬误在很大程度上依赖于模棱两可的词汇和短语的使用。
In [[continental philosophy]] (particularly phenomenology and existentialism), there is much greater tolerance of ambiguity, as it is generally seen as an integral part of the human condition. [[Martin Heidegger]] argued that the relation between the subject and object is ambiguous, as is the relation of mind and body, and part and whole. In Heidegger's phenomenology, Dasein is always in a meaningful world, but there is always an underlying background for every instance of signification. Thus, although some things may be certain, they have little to do with Dasein's sense of care and existential anxiety, e.g., in the face of death. In calling his work Being and Nothingness an "essay in phenomenological ontology" [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] follows Heidegger in defining the human essence as ambiguous, or relating fundamentally to such ambiguity. [[Simone de Beauvoir]] tries to base an ethics on Heidegger's and Sartre's writings (The Ethics of Ambiguity), where she highlights the need to grapple with ambiguity: "as long as there have been philosophers and they have thought, most of them have tried to mask it{{nbs}}... And the ethics which they have proposed to their disciples has always pursued the same goal. It has been a matter of eliminating the ambiguity by making oneself pure inwardness or pure externality, by escaping from the sensible world or being engulfed by it, by yielding to eternity or enclosing oneself in the pure moment." Ethics cannot be based on the authoritative certainty given by mathematics and logic, or prescribed directly from the empirical findings of science. She states: "Since we do not succeed in fleeing it, let us, therefore, try to look the truth in the face. Let us try to assume our fundamental ambiguity. It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our life that we must draw our strength to live and our reason for acting". Other continental philosophers suggest that concepts such as life, nature, and sex are ambiguous. Corey Anton has argued that we cannot be certain what is separate from or unified with something else: language, he asserts, divides what is not, in fact, separate. Following Ernest Becker, he argues that the desire to 'authoritatively disambiguate' the world and existence has led to numerous ideologies and historical events such as genocide. On this basis, he argues that ethics must focus on 'dialectically integrating opposites' and balancing tension, rather than seeking a priori validation or certainty. Like the existentialists and phenomenologists, he sees the ambiguity of life as the basis of creativity.
In continental philosophy (particularly phenomenology and existentialism), there is much greater tolerance of ambiguity, as it is generally seen as an integral part of the human condition. Martin Heidegger argued that the relation between the subject and object is ambiguous, as is the relation of mind and body, and part and whole. In Heidegger's phenomenology, Dasein is always in a meaningful world, but there is always an underlying background for every instance of signification. Thus, although some things may be certain, they have little to do with Dasein's sense of care and existential anxiety, e.g., in the face of death. In calling his work Being and Nothingness an "essay in phenomenological ontology" Jean-Paul Sartre follows Heidegger in defining the human essence as ambiguous, or relating fundamentally to such ambiguity. Simone de Beauvoir tries to base an ethics on Heidegger's and Sartre's writings (The Ethics of Ambiguity), where she highlights the need to grapple with ambiguity: "as long as there have been philosophers and they have thought, most of them have tried to mask it... And the ethics which they have proposed to their disciples has always pursued the same goal. It has been a matter of eliminating the ambiguity by making oneself pure inwardness or pure externality, by escaping from the sensible world or being engulfed by it, by yielding to eternity or enclosing oneself in the pure moment." Ethics cannot be based on the authoritative certainty given by mathematics and logic, or prescribed directly from the empirical findings of science. She states: "Since we do not succeed in fleeing it, let us, therefore, try to look the truth in the face. Let us try to assume our fundamental ambiguity. It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our life that we must draw our strength to live and our reason for acting". Other continental philosophers suggest that concepts such as life, nature, and sex are ambiguous. Corey Anton has argued that we cannot be certain what is separate from or unified with something else: language, he asserts, divides what is not, in fact, separate. Following Ernest Becker, he argues that the desire to 'authoritatively disambiguate' the world and existence has led to numerous ideologies and historical events such as genocide. On this basis, he argues that ethics must focus on 'dialectically integrating opposites' and balancing tension, rather than seeking a priori validation or certainty. Like the existentialists and phenomenologists, he sees the ambiguity of life as the basis of creativity.
在大陆哲学(尤其是现象学和存在主义)中，对歧义有更大的容忍度，因为它通常被视为人类状况的一个组成部分。马丁·海德格尔认为，主体和客体之间的关系是模糊的，心灵和身体的关系，以及部分和整体的关系也是模糊的。在海德格尔的现象学中，此在始终处于一个有意义的世界中，但每一个意义的实例都有一个潜在的背景。因此，尽管有些事情可能是确定的，但它们与此在的关怀感和存在焦虑(例如面对死亡)几乎没有关系。海德格尔将他的著作《存在与虚无》称为“现象学本体论中的一篇文章”，这一让-保罗·萨特追随了海德格尔，将人的本质定义为模棱两可，或者从根本上与这种模棱两可相关。西蒙·波娃试图以海德格尔和萨特的著作(述模棱两可的道德)为基础建立一种伦理学，她强调需要克服模棱两可: “只要存在哲学家，他们有思想，大多数人都试图掩盖它... ... 他们向门徒提出的伦理学总是追求同一个目标。这是一个消除歧义的问题，通过使自己纯粹的内在或纯粹的外在性，通过逃离感性的世界或被它吞没，通过屈服于永恒或将自己封闭在纯粹的时刻。”伦理学不能建立在数学和逻辑所赋予的权威性确定性的基础上，也不能直接从科学的经验发现中得到规定。她说: “既然我们不能成功地逃离它，那么，就让我们试着面对现实吧。让我们试着假设我们的基本模糊性。正是在了解了我们生活的真实状况之后，我们才必须汲取生存的力量和采取行动的理由。”。其他大陆哲学家认为，生命、自然和性等概念是模棱两可的。科里 · 安东(Corey Anton)认为，我们无法确定什么是与其他事物分离或统一的: 他断言，语言分离了那些事实上没有分离的事物。在欧内斯特 · 贝克尔之后，他认为“权威性地消除”世界和存在的欲望导致了许多意识形态和历史事件，如种族灭绝。在此基础上，他认为伦理学必须关注“辩证地整合对立面”和平衡紧张关系，而不是寻求先验的验证或确定性。像存在主义者和现象学家一样，他把生活的模糊性看作是创造力的基础。
== Literature and rhetoric ==
In literature and rhetoric, ambiguity can be a useful tool. Groucho Marx's classic joke depends on a grammatical ambiguity for its humor, for example: "Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know". Songs and poetry often rely on ambiguous words for artistic effect, as in the song title "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (where "blue" can refer to the color, or to sadness).
In literature and rhetoric, ambiguity can be a useful tool. Groucho Marx's classic joke depends on a grammatical ambiguity for its humor, for example: "Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know". Songs and poetry often rely on ambiguous words for artistic effect, as in the song title "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (where "blue" can refer to the color, or to sadness).
在文学和修辞学中，歧义可以是一种有用的工具。格劳乔•马克思(Groucho Marx)的经典笑话取决于其幽默的语法模糊性，例如: “昨晚我穿着睡衣打死了一头大象。他是怎么穿上我的睡衣的，我永远也不会知道”。歌曲和诗歌往往依赖于含糊不清的词语来达到艺术效果，比如歌曲标题“ Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”(“ Blue”可以指颜色，也可以指悲伤)。
In the narrative, ambiguity can be introduced in several ways: motive, plot, character. [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] uses the latter type of ambiguity with notable effect in his novel ''The Great Gatsby''.
In the narrative, ambiguity can be introduced in several ways: motive, plot, character. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the latter type of ambiguity with notable effect in his novel The Great Gatsby.
在叙事中，歧义可以通过动机、情节、人物等几种方式引入。弗朗西斯·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德在他的小说了不起的盖茨比中使用了后一种模棱两可的手法，效果显著。
== Mathematical notation ==
[[Mathematical notation]], widely used in [[physics]] and other [[science]]s, avoids many ambiguities compared to expression in natural language. However, for various reasons, several [[Lexical (semiotics)|lexical]], [[syntactic]] and [[semantic]] ambiguities remain.
Mathematical notation, widely used in physics and other sciences, avoids many ambiguities compared to expression in natural language. However, for various reasons, several lexical, syntactic and semantic ambiguities remain.
= = 数学符号 = = 数学符号，广泛应用于物理学和其他科学领域，与自然语言表达相比，避免了许多歧义。然而，由于各种原因，一些词汇，句法和语义歧义仍然存在。
=== Names of functions ===
The '''ambiguity''' in the style of writing a [[Function (mathematics)|function]] should not be confused with a [[multivalued function]], which can (and should) be defined in a deterministic and unambiguous way. Several [[special function]]s still do not have established notations. Usually, the conversion to another notation requires to scale the argument or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions. Examples of such underestablished functions:
* [[Sinc function]]
* [[Elliptic integral#Complete elliptic integral of the third kind|Elliptic integral of the third kind]]; translating elliptic integral form [[MAPLE]] to [[Mathematica]], one should replace the second argument to its square, see [[Talk:Elliptic integral#List of notations]]; dealing with complex values, this may cause problems.
* [[Exponential integral]]<ref name="irene">{{cite book|url=http://www.math.sfu.ca/~cbm/aands/page_228.htm|title=Handbook on mathematical functions|last1=Abramovits|first1=M.|last2=Stegun|first2=I.|page=228}}</ref>
* [[Hermite polynomial]]<ref name="irene" />{{rp|775}}
The ambiguity in the style of writing a function should not be confused with a multivalued function, which can (and should) be defined in a deterministic and unambiguous way. Several special functions still do not have established notations. Usually, the conversion to another notation requires to scale the argument or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions. Examples of such underestablished functions:
* Sinc function
* Elliptic integral of the third kind; translating elliptic integral form MAPLE to Mathematica, one should replace the second argument to its square, see Talk:Elliptic integral#List of notations; dealing with complex values, this may cause problems.
* Exponential integral
* Hermite polynomial
= = = 函数名 = = = 函数写作风格的模糊性不应与多值函数混淆，后者可以(也应该)以确定性和明确的方式定义。一些特殊的功能仍然没有建立符号。通常，转换到另一个符号需要缩放参数或结果值; 有时，使用相同的函数名称会造成混淆。例如:
* Sinc 函数
* 第三类椭圆积分，将椭圆积分从 MAPLE 转换为 Mathematica，应该将第二个参数替换为它的平方，参见 Talk: 椭圆积分 # 符号列表，处理复杂的值，这可能会导致问题。
* Exponential integral
* Hermite polynomial
=== Expressions ===
Ambiguous expressions often appear in physical and mathematical texts.
It is common practice to omit multiplication signs in mathematical expressions. Also, it is common to give the same name to a variable and a function, for example, <math>f=f(x)</math>. Then, if one sees <math>f=f(y+1)</math>, there is no way to distinguish whether it means <math>f=f(x)</math> '''multiplied''' by <math>(y+1)</math>, or function <math>f</math> '''evaluated''' at argument equal to <math>(y+1)</math>. In each case of use of such notations, the reader is supposed to be able to perform the deduction and reveal the true meaning.
Ambiguous expressions often appear in physical and mathematical texts.
It is common practice to omit multiplication signs in mathematical expressions. Also, it is common to give the same name to a variable and a function, for example, f=f(x). Then, if one sees f=f(y+1), there is no way to distinguish whether it means f=f(x) multiplied by (y+1), or function f evaluated at argument equal to (y+1). In each case of use of such notations, the reader is supposed to be able to perform the deduction and reveal the true meaning.
模棱两可的表达式经常出现在物理和数学文本中。在数学表达式中省略乘法符号是一种常见的做法。另外，对变量和函数给出相同的名称也是很常见的，例如 f = f (x)。然后，如果看到 f = f (y + 1) ，就没有办法区分它是否意味着 f = f (x)乘以(y + 1) ，或者函数 f 在参数等于(y + 1)时求值。在使用这些符号的每一种情况下，读者应该能够进行演绎并揭示真正的含义。
Creators of algorithmic languages try to avoid ambiguities. Many algorithmic languages ([[C++]] and [[Fortran]]) require the character * as symbol of multiplication. The [[Wolfram Language]] used in [[Mathematica]] allows the user to omit the multiplication symbol, but requires square brackets to indicate the argument of a function; square brackets are not allowed for grouping of expressions. Fortran, in addition, does not allow use of the same name (identifier) for different objects, for example, function and variable; in particular, the expression '''f=f(x)''' is qualified as an error.
Creators of algorithmic languages try to avoid ambiguities. Many algorithmic languages (C++ and Fortran) require the character * as symbol of multiplication. The Wolfram Language used in Mathematica allows the user to omit the multiplication symbol, but requires square brackets to indicate the argument of a function; square brackets are not allowed for grouping of expressions. Fortran, in addition, does not allow use of the same name (identifier) for different objects, for example, function and variable; in particular, the expression f=f(x) is qualified as an error.
算法语言的创建者尽量避免歧义。许多算法语言(C + + 和 Fortran)要求字符 * 作为乘法的符号。在 Mathematica 使用的 Wolfram 语言允许用户省略 × ，但需要用方括号来表示函数的参数，不允许用方括号来分组表达式。此外，Fortran 不允许对不同的对象(例如函数和变量)使用相同的名称(标识符) ; 特别是，表达式 f = f (x)被限定为一个错误。
The order of operations may depend on the context. In most [[programming language]]s, the operations of division and multiplication have equal priority and are executed from left to right. Until the last century, many editorials assumed that multiplication is performed first, for example, <math>a/bc</math> is interpreted as <math>a/(bc)</math>; in this case, the insertion of parentheses is required when translating the formulas to an algorithmic language. In addition, it is common to write an argument of a function without parenthesis, which also may lead to ambiguity.
In the [[scientific journal]] style, one uses roman letters to denote elementary functions, whereas variables are written using italics.
For example, in mathematical journals the expression
<math> s i n</math>
does not denote the [[sine function]], but the
product of the three variables
<math>s</math>,
<math>i</math>,
<math>n</math>, although in the informal notation of a slide presentation it may stand for <math>\sin</math>.
The order of operations may depend on the context. In most programming languages, the operations of division and multiplication have equal priority and are executed from left to right. Until the last century, many editorials assumed that multiplication is performed first, for example, a/bc is interpreted as a/(bc); in this case, the insertion of parentheses is required when translating the formulas to an algorithmic language. In addition, it is common to write an argument of a function without parenthesis, which also may lead to ambiguity.
In the scientific journal style, one uses roman letters to denote elementary functions, whereas variables are written using italics.
For example, in mathematical journals the expression
s i n
does not denote the sine function, but the
product of the three variables
s,
i,
n, although in the informal notation of a slide presentation it may stand for \sin.
操作的顺序可能取决于上下文。在大多数编程语言中，除法运算和乘法运算具有同等的优先级，从左到右执行。直到上个世纪，许多社论都假设乘法是先执行的，例如，a/bc 被解释为 a/(bc) ; 在这种情况下，将公式翻译成算法语言时需要插入括号。此外，通常写一个没有括号的函数参数，这也可能导致歧义。在科学期刊风格中，使用罗马字母表示基本函数，而变量使用斜体。例如，在数学期刊中，表达式 sinn 并不表示正弦函数，而是三个变量 s，i，n 的乘积，尽管在幻灯片演示的非正式符号中，它可能代表 sin。
Commas in multi-component subscripts and superscripts are sometimes omitted; this is also potentially ambiguous notation.
For example, in the notation <math>T_{mnk}</math>, the reader can only infer from the context whether it means a single-index object, taken with the subscript equal to product of variables <math>m</math>, <math>n</math> and <math>k</math>, or it is an indication to a trivalent [[tensor]].
Commas in multi-component subscripts and superscripts are sometimes omitted; this is also potentially ambiguous notation.
For example, in the notation T_{mnk}, the reader can only infer from the context whether it means a single-index object, taken with the subscript equal to product of variables m, n and k, or it is an indication to a trivalent tensor.
多组件下标和上标中的逗号有时会被省略; 这也可能是模棱两可的表示法。例如，在符号 T _ { mnk }中，读者只能从上下文中推断它是指一个单索引对象，下标等于变量 m、 n 和 k 的乘积，还是指一个三价张量。
=== Examples of potentially confusing ambiguous mathematical expressions ===
An expression such as <math>\sin^2\alpha/2</math> can be understood to mean either <math>(\sin(\alpha/2))^2</math> or <math>(\sin \alpha)^2/2</math>. Often the author's intention can be understood from the context, in cases where only one of the two makes sense, but an ambiguity like this should be avoided, for example by writing <math>\sin^2(\alpha/2)</math> or <math display="inline">\frac{1}{2}\sin^2\alpha</math>.
An expression such as \sin^2\alpha/2 can be understood to mean either (\sin(\alpha/2))^2 or (\sin \alpha)^2/2. Often the author's intention can be understood from the context, in cases where only one of the two makes sense, but an ambiguity like this should be avoided, for example by writing \sin^2(\alpha/2) or \frac{1}{2}\sin^2\alpha.
= = = 可能混淆不清的数学表达式的例子 = = = 如 sin ^ 2alpha/2这样的表达式可以理解为(sin (alpha/2)) ^ 2或(sin alpha) ^ 2/2。通常情况下，作者的意图可以从上下文中理解，在两者中只有一个有意义的情况下，但是应该避免这样的歧义，例如通过写 sin ^ 2(alpha/2)或 frac {1}{2} sin ^ 2 alpha。
The expression <math>\sin^{-1}\alpha</math> means <math>\arcsin(\alpha)</math> in several texts, though it might be thought to mean <math>(\sin \alpha)^{-1}</math>, since <math>\sin^{n} \alpha</math> commonly means <math>(\sin \alpha)^{n}</math>. Conversely, <math>\sin^2 \alpha</math> might seem to mean <math>\sin(\sin \alpha)</math>, as this [[exponentiation]] notation usually denotes [[function iteration]]: in general, <math>f^2(x)</math> means <math>f(f(x))</math>. However, for [[trigonometric]] and [[hyperbolic functions]], this notation conventionally means exponentiation of the result of function application.
The expression \sin^{-1}\alpha means \arcsin(\alpha) in several texts, though it might be thought to mean (\sin \alpha)^{-1}, since \sin^{n} \alpha commonly means (\sin \alpha)^{n}. Conversely, \sin^2 \alpha might seem to mean \sin(\sin \alpha), as this exponentiation notation usually denotes function iteration: in general, f^2(x) means f(f(x)). However, for trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, this notation conventionally means exponentiation of the result of function application.
表达式 sin ^ {-1} alpha 在几个文本中意味着 arcsin (alpha) ，尽管它可能被认为意味着(sin alpha) ^ {-1} ，因为 sin ^ { n } alpha 通常意味着(sin alpha) ^ { n }。相反，sin ^ 2 alpha 似乎表示 sin (sin alpha) ，因为这个指数表示法通常表示函数迭代: 一般来说，f ^ 2(x)表示 f (f (x))。然而，对于三角函数和双曲函数，这种表示法通常意味着函数应用结果的指数化。
The expression <math>a/2b</math> can be interpreted as meaning <math>(a/2)b</math>; however, it is more commonly understood to mean <math>a/(2b)</math>.
The expression a/2b can be interpreted as meaning (a/2)b; however, it is more commonly understood to mean a/(2b).
表达式 a/2b 可以被解释为意思(a/2) b; 然而，它通常被理解为意思 a/(2b)。
=== Notations in quantum optics and quantum mechanics ===
It is common to define the [[coherent states]] in [[quantum optics]] with <math>~|\alpha\rangle~ </math> and states with fixed number of photons with <math>~|n\rangle~</math>. Then, there is an "unwritten rule": the state is coherent if there are more Greek characters than Latin characters in the argument, and <math>~n~</math>photon state if the Latin characters dominate. The ambiguity becomes even worse, if <math>~|x\rangle~</math> is used for the states with certain value of the coordinate, and <math>~|p\rangle~</math> means the state with certain value of the momentum, which may be used in books on [[quantum mechanics]]. Such ambiguities easily lead to confusions, especially if some normalized [[adimensional]], [[dimensionless]] variables are used. Expression <math> |1\rangle </math> may mean a state with single photon, or the coherent state with mean amplitude equal to 1, or state with momentum equal to unity, and so on. The reader is supposed to guess from the context.
It is common to define the coherent states in quantum optics with ~|\alpha\rangle~ and states with fixed number of photons with ~|n\rangle~. Then, there is an "unwritten rule": the state is coherent if there are more Greek characters than Latin characters in the argument, and ~n~photon state if the Latin characters dominate. The ambiguity becomes even worse, if ~|x\rangle~ is used for the states with certain value of the coordinate, and ~|p\rangle~ means the state with certain value of the momentum, which may be used in books on quantum mechanics. Such ambiguities easily lead to confusions, especially if some normalized adimensional, dimensionless variables are used. Expression |1\rangle may mean a state with single photon, or the coherent state with mean amplitude equal to 1, or state with momentum equal to unity, and so on. The reader is supposed to guess from the context.
= = = 量子光学中的符号和量子力学 = = = = 常见的定义是量子光学中的相干态和固定数量的光子态。然后，有一个“不成文的规则”: 国家是连贯的，如果有更多的希腊字符比拉丁字符的论点，和 ~ n ~ 光子状态，如果拉丁字符占主导地位。如果 ~ | x 范围 ~ 用于具有一定坐标值的状态，而 ~ | p 范围 ~ 意味着具有一定动量值的状态，这种模糊性就更加严重了，这种模糊性可以在量子力学书籍中使用。这种模糊性很容易导致混淆，特别是如果使用一些规范化的无量纲变量。表达式 | 1的范围可以表示一个单光子态，或者平均振幅等于1的相干态，或者动量等于单位的态，等等。读者应该根据上下文来猜测。
=== Ambiguous terms in physics and mathematics ===
Some physical quantities do not yet have established notations; their value (and sometimes even [[dimension]], as in the case of the [[Einstein coefficients]]), depends on the system of notations. Many terms are ambiguous. Each use of an ambiguous term should be preceded by the definition, suitable for a specific case. Just like [[Ludwig Wittgenstein]] states in [[Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus]]: "...{{nbs}}Only in the context of a proposition has a name meaning."<ref>{{cite book|title=Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus|last=Wittgenstein|first=Ludwig|publisher=Dover Publications Inc.|year=1999|isbn=978-0-486-40445-5|page=39}}</ref>
Some physical quantities do not yet have established notations; their value (and sometimes even dimension, as in the case of the Einstein coefficients), depends on the system of notations. Many terms are ambiguous. Each use of an ambiguous term should be preceded by the definition, suitable for a specific case. Just like Ludwig Wittgenstein states in Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus: "...Only in the context of a proposition has a name meaning."
物理和数学中的模棱两可的术语 = = = = 一些物理量还没有建立符号; 它们的价值(有时甚至维度，就像爱因斯坦系数那样)取决于符号系统。很多术语都是模棱两可的。每次使用一个模棱两可的术语之前，应该有一个定义，适合于特定的情况。就像路德维希·维特根斯坦逻辑哲学论中的状态: “ ... ... 只有在一个命题的上下文中才有名字的意思。”
A highly confusing term is ''gain''. For example, the sentence "the gain of a system should be doubled", without context, means close to nothing.
A highly confusing term is gain. For example, the sentence "the gain of a system should be doubled", without context, means close to nothing.
一个非常令人困惑的术语是收益。例如，句子“一个系统的收益应该翻倍”，没有上下文，意味着几乎没有。
* It may mean that the ratio of the output voltage of an electric circuit to the input voltage should be doubled.
* It may mean that the ratio of the output power of an electric or optical circuit to the input power should be doubled.
* It may mean that the gain of the laser medium should be doubled, for example, doubling the population of the upper laser level in a quasi-two level system (assuming negligible absorption of the ground-state).
* It may mean that the ratio of the output voltage of an electric circuit to the input voltage should be doubled.
* It may mean that the ratio of the output power of an electric or optical circuit to the input power should be doubled.
* It may mean that the gain of the laser medium should be doubled, for example, doubling the population of the upper laser level in a quasi-two level system (assuming negligible absorption of the ground-state).
* 这可能意味着电路的输出电压与输入电压的比率应增加一倍。
* 这可能意味着电路或光路的输出功率与输入功率的比率应增加一倍。
* 这可能意味着激光介质的增益应该增加一倍，例如，在准二能级系统中使上层激光能级的数量增加一倍(假设基态的吸收可以忽略不计)。
The term ''intensity'' is ambiguous when applied to light. The term can refer to any of [[irradiance]], [[luminous intensity]], [[radiant intensity]], or [[radiance]], depending on the background of the person using the term.
The term intensity is ambiguous when applied to light. The term can refer to any of irradiance, luminous intensity, radiant intensity, or radiance, depending on the background of the person using the term.
强度这个词用在光上是模棱两可的。根据使用这个术语的人的背景，这个术语可以指任何的辐射、发光强度、辐射强度或者辐射。
Also, confusions may be related with the use of [[atomic percent]] as measure of concentration of a [[dopant]], or [[Optical resolution|resolution]] of an imaging system, as measure of the size of the smallest detail which still can be resolved at the background of statistical noise. See also [[Accuracy and precision]] and its talk.
Also, confusions may be related with the use of atomic percent as measure of concentration of a dopant, or resolution of an imaging system, as measure of the size of the smallest detail which still can be resolved at the background of statistical noise. See also Accuracy and precision and its talk.
此外，混淆可能与使用原子百分比作为掺杂剂浓度的测量，或成像系统的分辨率作为仍然可以在统计噪声背景下解决的最小细节的大小的测量有关。参见准确与精密和它的谈话。
The [[Berry paradox]] arises as a result of systematic ambiguity in the meaning of terms such as "definable" or "nameable". Terms of this kind give rise to [[Virtuous circle and vicious circle|vicious circle]] fallacies. Other terms with this type of ambiguity are: satisfiable, true, false, function, property, class, relation, cardinal, and ordinal.<ref>Russell/Whitehead, ''Principia Mathematica''</ref>
The Berry paradox arises as a result of systematic ambiguity in the meaning of terms such as "definable" or "nameable". Terms of this kind give rise to vicious circle fallacies. Other terms with this type of ambiguity are: satisfiable, true, false, function, property, class, relation, cardinal, and ordinal.Russell/Whitehead, Principia Mathematica
贝里悖论的产生是由于术语含义的系统性歧义，如“可定义的”或“命名的”。这种说法会导致恶性循环谬论。具有这种歧义的其他术语有: 可满足的、真的、假的、函数的、属性的、类的、关系的、基数的和序数的。罗素/怀特黑德数学原理
== Mathematical interpretation of ambiguity ==
[[File:Necker cube and impossible cube.svg|The [[Necker cube]] and [[impossible cube]], an underdetermined and overdetermined object, respectively.|thumb]]
In mathematics and logic, ambiguity can be considered to be an instance of the logical concept of [[underdetermination]]—for example, <math>X=Y</math> leaves open what the value of ''X'' is—while its opposite{{explain|date=December 2021|reason=What is its opposite? Not self-evident}} is a [[Self-refuting idea|self-contradiction]], also called [[inconsistency]], [[paradoxicalness]], or [[oxymoron]], or in mathematics an [[inconsistent system]]—such as <math>X=2, X=3</math>, which has no solution.
In mathematics and logic, ambiguity can be considered to be an instance of the logical concept of underdetermination—for example, X=Y leaves open what the value of X is—while its opposite is a self-contradiction, also called inconsistency, paradoxicalness, or oxymoron, or in mathematics an inconsistent system—such as X=2, X=3, which has no solution.
在数学和逻辑学中，模糊性可以被认为是不确定性逻辑概念的一个实例ーー例如，X = Y 没有给出 X 的价值是什么ーー而它的对立面是一个自相矛盾，也称为不一致性、矛盾性或矛盾修饰法，或者在数学中是一个不一致的系统ーー例如 X = 2，X = 3，它没有解决方案。
Logical ambiguity and self-contradiction is analogous to visual ambiguity and [[impossible object]]s, such as the Necker cube and impossible cube, or many of the drawings of [[M. C. Escher]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Goldstein|first=Laurence|year=1996|title=Reflexivity, Contradiction, Paradox and M. C. Escher|journal=[[Leonardo (journal)|Leonardo]]|volume=29|issue=4|pages=299–308|doi=10.2307/1576313|jstor=1576313|s2cid=191403643}}</ref>
Logical ambiguity and self-contradiction is analogous to visual ambiguity and impossible objects, such as the Necker cube and impossible cube, or many of the drawings of M. C. Escher.
逻辑模糊和自相矛盾类似于视觉模糊和不可能的对象，如内克河立方体和不可能的立方体，或许多埃舍尔的画。
== Constructed language ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2016}}
Some [[Constructed language|languages have been created]] with the intention of avoiding ambiguity, especially [[Polysemy|lexical ambiguity]]. [[Lojban]] and [[Loglan]] are two related languages which have been created for this, focusing chiefly on syntactic ambiguity as well. The languages can be both spoken and written. These languages are intended to provide a greater technical precision over big natural languages, although historically, such attempts at language improvement have been criticized. Languages composed from many diverse sources contain much ambiguity and inconsistency. The many exceptions to [[syntax]] and [[semantic]] rules are time-consuming and difficult to learn.
Some languages have been created with the intention of avoiding ambiguity, especially lexical ambiguity. Lojban and Loglan are two related languages which have been created for this, focusing chiefly on syntactic ambiguity as well. The languages can be both spoken and written. These languages are intended to provide a greater technical precision over big natural languages, although historically, such attempts at language improvement have been criticized. Languages composed from many diverse sources contain much ambiguity and inconsistency. The many exceptions to syntax and semantic rules are time-consuming and difficult to learn.
有些语言是为了避免歧义，特别是词汇歧义而创造的。Lojban 和 Loglan 是两种相关的语言，它们都是为此而创建的，也主要关注句法歧义。这些语言既可以说也可以写。这些语言旨在提供比大型自然语言更高的技术精度，尽管在历史上，这种改进语言的尝试一直受到批评。由许多不同来源组成的语言包含许多歧义和不一致性。语法和语义规则的许多例外都很费时，而且很难学习。
== Biology ==
In [[structural biology]], ambiguity has been recognized as a problem for studying [[Protein structure|protein conformations]].<ref name="protein_ambig">{{Cite journal|last1=Postic|first1=Guillaume|last2=Ghouzam|first2=Yassine|last3=Chebrek|first3=Romain|last4=Gelly|first4=Jean-Christophe|date=2017|title=An ambiguity principle for assigning protein structural domains|journal=Science Advances|volume=3|issue=1|pages=e1600552|doi=10.1126/sciadv.1600552|issn=2375-2548|pmc=5235333|pmid=28097215|bibcode=2017SciA....3E0552P}}</ref> The analysis of a protein three-dimensional structure consists in dividing the macromolecule into subunits called [[Protein domain|domains]]. The difficulty of this task arises from the fact that different definitions of what a domain is can be used (e.g. folding autonomy, function, thermodynamic stability, or domain motions), which sometimes results in a single protein having different—yet equally valid—domain assignments.
In structural biology, ambiguity has been recognized as a problem for studying protein conformations. The analysis of a protein three-dimensional structure consists in dividing the macromolecule into subunits called domains. The difficulty of this task arises from the fact that different definitions of what a domain is can be used (e.g. folding autonomy, function, thermodynamic stability, or domain motions), which sometimes results in a single protein having different—yet equally valid—domain assignments.
在结构生物学中，模糊性已经被认为是研究蛋白质构象的一个问题。对蛋白质三维结构的分析包括将大分子划分为称为结构域的亚基。这项任务的困难之处在于可以使用不同的领域定义(例如:。折叠自主性、功能、热力学稳定性或结构域运动) ，有时导致单个蛋白质具有不同但同样有效的结构域分配。
== Christianity and Judaism ==
[[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] employ the concept of paradox synonymously with "ambiguity". Many Christians and Jews endorse Rudolf Otto's description of the sacred as 'mysterium tremendum et fascinans', the awe-inspiring mystery which fascinates humans.{{Dubious|date=May 2019}} The orthodox Catholic writer [[G. K. Chesterton]] regularly employed paradox to tease out the meanings in common concepts which he found ambiguous or to reveal meaning often overlooked or forgotten in common phrases. (The title of one of his most famous books, Orthodoxy, itself employing such a paradox.)
Christianity and Judaism employ the concept of paradox synonymously with "ambiguity". Many Christians and Jews endorse Rudolf Otto's description of the sacred as 'mysterium tremendum et fascinans', the awe-inspiring mystery which fascinates humans. The orthodox Catholic writer G. K. Chesterton regularly employed paradox to tease out the meanings in common concepts which he found ambiguous or to reveal meaning often overlooked or forgotten in common phrases. (The title of one of his most famous books, Orthodoxy, itself employing such a paradox.)
= = 犹太教与基督教 = = = 犹太教与基督教运用悖论的概念，与“模棱两可”同义。许多基督徒和犹太人赞同鲁道夫 · 奥托对神圣的描述，认为它是“令人惊叹和着迷的神秘”，令人敬畏的神秘使人着迷。这位正统天主教作家经常使用悖论 G·K·切斯特顿来梳理常见概念中含糊不清的含义，或者揭示常见短语中经常被忽视或遗忘的含义。(他最著名的著作之一《东正教》的书名就引用了这样一个悖论。)
== Music ==
In [[music]], pieces or sections which confound expectations and may be or are interpreted simultaneously in different ways are ambiguous, such as some [[polytonality]], [[polymeter]], other ambiguous [[metre|meters]] or [[rhythm]]s, and ambiguous [[phrase (music)|phrasing]], or (Stein 2005, p.{{nbs}}79) any [[aspect of music]]. The [[music of Africa]] is often purposely ambiguous. To quote [[Donald Francis Tovey|Sir Donald Francis Tovey]] (1935, p.{{nbs}}195), "Theorists are apt to vex themselves with vain efforts to remove uncertainty just where it has a high aesthetic value."
In music, pieces or sections which confound expectations and may be or are interpreted simultaneously in different ways are ambiguous, such as some polytonality, polymeter, other ambiguous meters or rhythms, and ambiguous phrasing, or (Stein 2005, p.79) any aspect of music. The music of Africa is often purposely ambiguous. To quote Sir Donald Francis Tovey (1935, p.195), "Theorists are apt to vex themselves with vain efforts to remove uncertainty just where it has a high aesthetic value."
= = 音乐 = = 在音乐中，那些打乱预期、可以或可以用不同方式同时解释的作品或章节是模棱两可的，比如一些多调性、多分辨率、其他模棱两可的节拍或节奏、模棱两可的措辞，或者(Stein 2005，第79页)音乐的任何方面。非洲的音乐常常故意含糊不清。引用托维(1935，第195页)的话说，“理论家们总是徒劳地为消除具有高度审美价值的不确定性而烦恼。”
== Visual art ==
[[File:KB ambiguous image.png|thumb|This image can be interpreted three ways: as the letters "K B", as the mathematical inequality "1 < 13", or as the letters "''V'' D" with their mirror image.<ref name="protein_ambig" />]]
In visual art, certain images are visually ambiguous, such as the [[Necker cube]], which can be interpreted in two ways. Perceptions of such objects remain stable for a time, then may flip, a phenomenon called [[multistable perception]].
The opposite of such [[ambiguous image]]s are [[impossible object]]s.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Seckel
|first=Al
|author-link=Al Seckel
|date=2009
|title=Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception
|url=https://www.fireflybooks.com/catalogue/product/8979-optical-illusions-the-science-of-visual-perception?search=Fall%202019
|location=Canada
|publisher=Firefly Books Ltd.
|isbn=978-1554071722
}}</ref>
thumb|This image can be interpreted three ways: as the letters "K B", as the mathematical inequality "1 < 13", or as the letters "V D" with their mirror image.
In visual art, certain images are visually ambiguous, such as the Necker cube, which can be interpreted in two ways. Perceptions of such objects remain stable for a time, then may flip, a phenomenon called multistable perception.
The opposite of such ambiguous images are impossible objects.
= = 视觉艺术 = = 拇指 | 这个图像可以解释为三种方式: 作为字母“ KB”，作为数学不等式“1 < 13”，或作为字母“ VD”与其镜像。在视觉艺术中，某些图像在视觉上是模棱两可的，例如内克河立方体，它可以用两种方式来解释。对这些物体的感知在一段时间内保持稳定，然后可能发生变化，这种现象被称为多稳态知觉。这种模糊不清的图像的对立面是不可能的对象。
Pictures or photographs may also be ambiguous at the semantic level: the visual image is unambiguous, but the meaning and narrative may be ambiguous: is a certain facial expression one of excitement or fear, for instance?
Pictures or photographs may also be ambiguous at the semantic level: the visual image is unambiguous, but the meaning and narrative may be ambiguous: is a certain facial expression one of excitement or fear, for instance?
图片或照片在语义层面上也可能是模棱两可的: 视觉形象是明确的，但意义和叙述可能是模棱两可的: 例如，某种面部表情是兴奋还是恐惧？
== Social psychology and the bystander effect ==
In [[social psychology]], ambiguity is a factor used in determining peoples' responses to various situations. High levels of ambiguity in an emergency (e.g. an unconscious man lying on a park bench) make witnesses less likely to offer any sort of assistance, due to the fear that they may have misinterpreted the situation and acted unnecessarily. Alternately, non-ambiguous emergencies (e.g. an injured person verbally asking for help) elicit more consistent intervention and assistance. With regard to the [[bystander effect]], studies have shown that emergencies deemed ambiguous trigger the appearance of the classic bystander effect (wherein more witnesses decrease the likelihood of any of them helping) far more than non-ambiguous emergencies.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Bystander Effect as a Function of Ambiguity and Emergency Character|journal=The Journal of Social Psychology|volume=100|pages=145–146|doi=10.1080/00224545.1976.9711917|year=1976|last1=Mason|first1=David|last2=Allen|first2=Bem P.}}</ref>
In social psychology, ambiguity is a factor used in determining peoples' responses to various situations. High levels of ambiguity in an emergency (e.g. an unconscious man lying on a park bench) make witnesses less likely to offer any sort of assistance, due to the fear that they may have misinterpreted the situation and acted unnecessarily. Alternately, non-ambiguous emergencies (e.g. an injured person verbally asking for help) elicit more consistent intervention and assistance. With regard to the bystander effect, studies have shown that emergencies deemed ambiguous trigger the appearance of the classic bystander effect (wherein more witnesses decrease the likelihood of any of them helping) far more than non-ambiguous emergencies.
= = 社会心理学和旁观者效应 = = = 在社会心理学中，模糊性是决定人们对各种情况的反应的一个因素。在紧急情况下模棱两可(例如:。一个昏迷的男人躺在公园的长椅上)使得目击者不太可能提供任何形式的帮助，因为他们担心他们可能误解了情况并且做出了不必要的行为。或者，非模棱两可的紧急情况(例如:。口头请求帮助的受伤者)引起更持续的干预和帮助。关于旁观者效应，研究表明，被认为模棱两可的紧急情况比模棱两可的紧急情况更容易引发传统旁观者效应的出现(更多的目击者会降低其中任何一个帮助的可能性)。
== Computer science ==
In [[computer science]], the [[SI prefix]]es [[kilo-]], [[mega-]] and [[giga-]] were historically used in certain contexts to mean either the first three powers of 1024 (1024, 1024<sup>2</sup> and 1024<sup>3</sup>) contrary to the [[metric system]] in which these units unambiguously mean one thousand, one million, and one billion. This usage is particularly prevalent with electronic memory devices (e.g. [[DRAM]]) addressed directly by a binary machine register where a decimal interpretation makes no practical sense.
In computer science, the SI prefixes kilo-, mega- and giga- were historically used in certain contexts to mean either the first three powers of 1024 (1024, 10242 and 10243) contrary to the metric system in which these units unambiguously mean one thousand, one million, and one billion. This usage is particularly prevalent with electronic memory devices (e.g. DRAM) addressed directly by a binary machine register where a decimal interpretation makes no practical sense.
= = 计算机科学 = = 在计算机科学中，SI 前缀 kilo-，mega-和 Giga-历史上在某些情况下被用来表示1024(1024,10242和10243)的前三个幂，而在公制系统中，这些单位毫不含糊地表示1001,100,10亿。这种用法在电子记忆装置(例如:。DRAM)由二进制机器寄存器直接寻址，其中十进制解释没有实际意义。
Subsequently, the Ki, Mi, and Gi prefixes were introduced so that [[metric prefix#Binary prefixes|binary prefixes]] could be written explicitly, also rendering k, M, and G ''unambiguous'' in texts conforming to the new standard—this led to a ''new'' ambiguity in engineering documents lacking outward trace of the binary prefixes (necessarily indicating the new style) as to whether the usage of k, M, and G remains ambiguous (old style) or not (new style). 1 M (where M is ambiguously 1,000,000 or 1,048,576) is ''less'' uncertain than the engineering value 1.0e6 (defined to designate the interval 950,000 to 1,050,000). As non-volatile storage devices begin to exceed 1 GB in capacity (where the ambiguity begins to routinely impact the second significant digit), GB and TB almost always mean 10<sup>9</sup> and 10<sup>12</sup> [[bytes]].
Subsequently, the Ki, Mi, and Gi prefixes were introduced so that binary prefixes could be written explicitly, also rendering k, M, and G unambiguous in texts conforming to the new standard—this led to a new ambiguity in engineering documents lacking outward trace of the binary prefixes (necessarily indicating the new style) as to whether the usage of k, M, and G remains ambiguous (old style) or not (new style). 1 M (where M is ambiguously 1,000,000 or 1,048,576) is less uncertain than the engineering value 1.0e6 (defined to designate the interval 950,000 to 1,050,000). As non-volatile storage devices begin to exceed 1 GB in capacity (where the ambiguity begins to routinely impact the second significant digit), GB and TB almost always mean 109 and 1012 bytes.
随后，引入了 Ki、 Mi 和 Gi 前缀，这样二进制前缀就可以明确地书写，也使得符合新标准的文本中的 k、 M 和 G 不再有歧义ーー这导致了工程文档中缺乏二进制前缀外部痕迹(必然表明新风格)的新的歧义，即 k、 M 和 G 的用法是否仍然有歧义(旧风格)或不歧义(新风格)。1M (其中 M 含糊不清地为1.000,000或1.048,576)比工程值1.0 e6(定义为指定区间950,000至1.050,000)更不确定。当非易失性存储设备的容量开始超过1GB 时(在这种情况下，模糊性开始经常影响第二个有效数字) ，GB 和 TB 几乎总是意味着109和1012字节。
== See also ==
{{div col|content=
* [[Abbreviation]]
* [[Ambiguity (law)]]
* [[Ambiguity tolerance]]
* [[Amphibology]]
* [[Buzzword]]
* [[Decision problem]]
* [[Discrete mathematics]]
* [[Double entendre]]
* [[Equivocation]]
* [[Essentially contested concept]]
* [[Fallacy]]
* [[Formal fallacy]]
* [[Golden hammer]]
* [[Informal fallacy]]
* [[Pleonasm]]
* [[Self reference]]
* [[Semantics]]
* [[Uncertainty]]
* [[Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity]]
* [[Word-sense disambiguation]]
}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wiktionary|ambiguity}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{cite SEP |url-id=ambiguity |title=Ambiguity}}
*{{InPho|idea|1883}}
*{{PhilPapers|search|ambiguity}}
*[http://www.gray-area.org/Research/Ambig/ Collection of Ambiguous or Inconsistent/Incomplete Statements]
*[http://www.languagesoftware.net/articles/better-english-leaving-out-ambiguities/?article2pdf=1? Leaving out ambiguities when writing]
*
*
*
*
*Collection of Ambiguous or Inconsistent/Incomplete Statements
*Leaving out ambiguities when writing
= = 外部链接 = =
*
*
*
* 收集模棱两可或不一致/不完整的语句
* 写作时避免模棱两可
{{Fallacies}}
{{Philosophical logic}}
{{Philosophy of language}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Formal semantics}}
[[Category:Ambiguity| ]]
[[Category:Semantics]]
[[Category:Mathematical notation]]
[[Category:Concepts in epistemology]]
[[Category:Barriers to critical thinking]]
[[Category:Formal semantics (natural language)]]
Category:Semantics
Category:Mathematical notation
Category:Concepts in epistemology
Category:Barriers to critical thinking
Category:Formal semantics (natural language)
分类: 语义学分类: 数学符号分类: 认识论概念分类: 批判性思维障碍分类: 形式语义学(自然语言)
<noinclude>
<small>This page was moved from [[wikipedia:en:Ambiguity]]. Its edit history can be viewed at [[模糊性/edithistory]]</small></noinclude>
[[Category:待整理页面]]
{{Short description|Type of uncertainty of meaning in which several interpretations are plausible}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Ambiguous|the film|Ambiguous (film)}}
{{tone|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Alice 05a-1116x1492.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=Drawing of the back an anthropomorphic caterpillar, seated on a toadstool amid grass and flowers, blowing smoke from a hookah; a blonde girl in an old-fashioned frock is standing on tiptoe to peer at the caterpillar over the toadstool's edge|Sir [[John Tenniel]]'s illustration of the [[Caterpillar (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Caterpillar]] for [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]]'' is noted for its ambiguous central figure, whose head can be viewed as being a human male's face with a pointed nose and chin, or as being the head end of an actual [[caterpillar]], with the first two right "true" legs visible.<ref>"And do you see its long nose and chin? At least, they ''look'' exactly like a nose and chin, that is don't they? But they really ''are'' two of its legs. You know a Caterpillar has got ''quantities'' of legs: you can see more of them, further down." Carroll, Lewis. ''The Nursery "Alice"''. Dover Publications (1966), p 27.</ref>]]
'''Ambiguity''' is a type of [[meaning (linguistics)|meaning]] in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations [[wikt:plausible#Adjective|plausible]]. A common aspect of ambiguity is [[uncertainty]]. It is thus an attribute of any idea or statement whose [[intention|intended]] meaning cannot be definitively resolved according to a rule or process with a finite number of steps. (The ''[[wikt:ambi-#Prefix|ambi]]-'' part of the [[Terminology|term]] reflects an idea of "[[2 (number)|two]]", as in "two meanings".)
Ambiguity is a type of meaning in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations plausible. A common aspect of ambiguity is uncertainty. It is thus an attribute of any idea or statement whose intended meaning cannot be definitively resolved according to a rule or process with a finite number of steps. (The ambi- part of the term reflects an idea of "two", as in "two meanings".)
歧义是一种意义类型，其中一个短语，陈述或解决方案没有明确界定，使几种解释似是而非。模糊性的一个常见方面是不确定性。因此，它是一个属性的任何想法或陈述，其预期的意义不能明确地解决根据一个规则或过程与有限的步骤。(这个词的双重部分反映了“两个”的概念，就像“两种意思”一样。)
The concept of ambiguity is generally contrasted with [[vagueness]]. In ambiguity, specific and distinct interpretations are permitted (although some may not be immediately obvious), whereas with information that is vague, it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity.
The concept of ambiguity is generally contrasted with vagueness. In ambiguity, specific and distinct interpretations are permitted (although some may not be immediately obvious), whereas with information that is vague, it is difficult to form any interpretation at the desired level of specificity.
歧义的概念通常与模糊相对照。在模棱两可的情况下，允许具体和不同的解释(尽管有些可能不会立即显而易见) ，而在信息模糊的情况下，很难在所需的特异性水平上形成任何解释。
== Linguistic forms ==
Lexical ambiguity is contrasted with [[semantic ambiguity]]. The former represents a choice between a finite number of known and meaningful [[context (language use)|context]]-dependent interpretations. The latter represents a choice between any number of possible interpretations, none of which may have a standard agreed-upon meaning. This form of ambiguity is closely related to [[vagueness]].
Lexical ambiguity is contrasted with semantic ambiguity. The former represents a choice between a finite number of known and meaningful context-dependent interpretations. The latter represents a choice between any number of possible interpretations, none of which may have a standard agreed-upon meaning. This form of ambiguity is closely related to vagueness.
词汇歧义与语义歧义相对应。前者表示在有限数量的已知和有意义的依赖上下文的解释之间进行选择。后者是在任何一种可能的解释之间的选择，其中没有一种可能具有标准的商定意义。这种歧义形式与模糊密切相关。
Linguistic ambiguity [[Ambiguity (law)|can be a problem in law]], because the interpretation of written documents and oral agreements is often of paramount importance.[[File:Structural analysis of an ambiguous spanish sentence.svg|thumb|Structural analysis of an ambiguous Spanish sentence:<br /> '''Pepe vio a Pablo enfurecido'''<br />Interpretation 1: When Pepe was angry, then he saw Pablo<br />Interpretation 2: Pepe saw that Pablo was angry.<br />Here, the syntactic tree in figure represents interpretation 2.]]
Linguistic ambiguity can be a problem in law, because the interpretation of written documents and oral agreements is often of paramount importance.thumb|Structural analysis of an ambiguous Spanish sentence:<br /> Pepe vio a Pablo enfurecido<br />Interpretation 1: When Pepe was angry, then he saw Pablo<br />Interpretation 2: Pepe saw that Pablo was angry.<br />Here, the syntactic tree in figure represents interpretation 2.
语言上的模棱两可可能是法律上的一个问题，因为对书面文件和口头协议的解释往往是最重要的。对一个模棱两可的西班牙语句子的结构分析: 释义1: 当佩佩生气时，他看到了巴勃罗。释义2: 佩佩看到了巴勃罗生气。< br/> 这里，图中的句法树表示解释2。
=== Lexical ambiguity ===
The [[Polysemy|lexical ambiguity]] of a word or phrase pertains to its having more than one meaning in the language to which the word belongs.<ref name="SmallCottrell2013">{{cite book|author1=Steven L. Small|author2=Garrison W Cottrell|author3=Michael K Tanenhaus|title=Lexical Ambiguity Resolution: Perspective from Psycholinguistics, Neuropsychology and Artificial Intelligence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-J-fAgAAQBAJ|date=22 October 2013|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-08-051013-2}}</ref> "Meaning" here refers to whatever should be captured by a good dictionary. For instance, the word "bank" has several distinct lexical definitions, including "[[Bank|financial institution]]" and "[[Bank (geography)|edge of a river]]". Or consider "[[apothecary]]". One could say "I bought herbs from the apothecary". This could mean one actually spoke to the apothecary ([[pharmacist]]) or went to the apothecary ([[pharmacy]]).
The lexical ambiguity of a word or phrase pertains to its having more than one meaning in the language to which the word belongs. "Meaning" here refers to whatever should be captured by a good dictionary. For instance, the word "bank" has several distinct lexical definitions, including "financial institution" and "edge of a river". Or consider "apothecary". One could say "I bought herbs from the apothecary". This could mean one actually spoke to the apothecary (pharmacist) or went to the apothecary (pharmacy).
词汇歧义一个词或短语的词汇歧义是指它在该词所属的语言中具有多个意义。“意义”在这里指的是任何应该被一本好的字典收录的东西。例如，“银行”这个词有几个不同的词汇定义，包括“金融机构”和“河边”。或者考虑一下“药剂师”。可以说“我从药剂师那里买了草药”。这可能意味着一个人实际上与药剂师(药剂师)交谈或去药剂师(药房)。
The context in which an ambiguous word is used often makes it evident which of the meanings is intended. If, for instance, someone says "I buried $100 in the bank", most people would not think someone used a shovel to dig in the mud. However, some linguistic contexts do not provide sufficient information to disambiguate a used word.
The context in which an ambiguous word is used often makes it evident which of the meanings is intended. If, for instance, someone says "I buried $100 in the bank", most people would not think someone used a shovel to dig in the mud. However, some linguistic contexts do not provide sufficient information to disambiguate a used word.
使用歧义词的上下文通常能够说明这些词的意思。例如，如果有人说“我在银行里埋了100美元”，大多数人不会认为有人用铲子挖泥巴。然而，有些语境不能提供足够的信息来消除使用的词的歧义。
Lexical ambiguity can be addressed by algorithmic methods that automatically associate the appropriate meaning with a word in context, a task referred to as [[word-sense disambiguation]].
Lexical ambiguity can be addressed by algorithmic methods that automatically associate the appropriate meaning with a word in context, a task referred to as word-sense disambiguation.
词汇歧义可以通过算法方法解决，这种算法可以自动将恰当的意思与上下文中的一个词联系起来，这项任务被称为“消歧义性”。
The use of multi-defined words requires the author or speaker to clarify their context, and sometimes elaborate on their specific intended meaning (in which case, a less ambiguous term should have been used). The goal of clear concise communication is that the receiver(s) have no misunderstanding about what was meant to be conveyed. An exception to this could include a politician whose "[[weasel word]]s" and [[obfuscation]] are necessary to gain support from multiple [[Electoral district|constituents]] with [[mutually exclusive]] conflicting desires from their candidate of choice. Ambiguity is a powerful tool of [[political science]].
The use of multi-defined words requires the author or speaker to clarify their context, and sometimes elaborate on their specific intended meaning (in which case, a less ambiguous term should have been used). The goal of clear concise communication is that the receiver(s) have no misunderstanding about what was meant to be conveyed. An exception to this could include a politician whose "weasel words" and obfuscation are necessary to gain support from multiple constituents with mutually exclusive conflicting desires from their candidate of choice. Ambiguity is a powerful tool of political science.
多义词的使用要求作者或说话人澄清他们的上下文，有时还要详细说明他们的特定意图(在这种情况下，应该使用一个不那么模糊的词)。清晰简洁交流的目的是使接受者对所要传达的信息不产生误解。这种情况的一个例外可能包括一个政治家，他的“狡猾的话”和模糊不清是必要的，以便从多个选民那里获得支持，这些选民选择的候选人有着相互排斥、相互冲突的愿望。模糊性是政治科学的有力工具。
More problematic are words whose senses express closely related concepts. "Good", for example, can mean "useful" or "functional" (''That's a good hammer''), "exemplary" (''She's a good student''), "pleasing" (''This is good soup''), "moral" (''a good person'' versus ''the lesson to be learned from a story''), "[[righteous]]", etc. "I have a good daughter" is not clear about which sense is intended. The various ways to apply [[prefix]]es and [[suffix]]es can also create ambiguity ("unlockable" can mean "capable of being unlocked" or "impossible to lock").
More problematic are words whose senses express closely related concepts. "Good", for example, can mean "useful" or "functional" (That's a good hammer), "exemplary" (She's a good student), "pleasing" (This is good soup), "moral" (a good person versus the lesson to be learned from a story), "righteous", etc. "I have a good daughter" is not clear about which sense is intended. The various ways to apply prefixes and suffixes can also create ambiguity ("unlockable" can mean "capable of being unlocked" or "impossible to lock").
更有问题的是那些意义表达紧密相关概念的词。例如，“ Good”可以表示“有用的”或“实用的”(这是一把好锤子) ，“堪称典范的”(她是个好学生) ，“令人愉快的”(这是一碗好汤) ，“道德的”(一个好人与从一个故事中学到的教训) ，“正义的”等等。“我有一个好女儿”并不清楚这句话的本意是什么。应用前缀和后缀的各种方法也可能产生歧义(“ unlockable”可能意味着“可以解锁”或“不可能锁定”)。
=== Semantic and syntactic ambiguity ===
[[File:Comedic Wet Cat Food sign in an ASDA supermarket.jpg|thumb|Which is wet: the food, or the cat?]]
[[Semantic ambiguity]] occurs when a word, phrase or sentence, taken out of context, has more than one interpretation. In "We saw her duck" (example due to Richard Nordquist), the words "her duck" can refer either
thumb|Which is wet: the food, or the cat?
Semantic ambiguity occurs when a word, phrase or sentence, taken out of context, has more than one interpretation. In "We saw her duck" (example due to Richard Nordquist), the words "her duck" can refer either
= = 语义和句法模棱两可 = = = 拇指 | 哪个是湿的: 食物还是猫？当一个词、短语或句子脱离上下文，有多种解释时，就会产生语义歧义。在“我们看到她的鸭子”(例如由于理查德诺德奎斯特) ，词语“她的鸭子”可以指任何一个
# to the person's bird (the noun "duck", modified by the possessive pronoun "her"), or
# to a motion she made (the verb "duck", the subject of which is the objective pronoun "her", object of the verb "saw").<ref name="ReferenceA" />
# to the person's bird (the noun "duck", modified by the possessive pronoun "her"), or
# to a motion she made (the verb "duck", the subject of which is the objective pronoun "her", object of the verb "saw").
# to the person’s bird (名词“ Duck”，由所有格代词“ her”修饰) ，或者 # to a motion she made (动词“ Duck”，主语是客观代词“ her”，宾语是动词“ saw”)。
[[Syntactic ambiguity]] arises when a sentence can have two (or more) different meanings because of the structure of the sentence—its syntax. This is often due to a modifying expression, such as a prepositional phrase, the application of which is unclear. "He ate the cookies on the couch", for example, could mean that he ate those cookies that were on the couch (as opposed to those that were on the table), or it could mean that he was sitting on the couch when he ate the cookies. "To get in, you will need an entrance fee of $10 or your voucher and your drivers' license." This could mean that you need EITHER ten dollars OR BOTH your voucher and your license. Or it could mean that you need your license AND you need EITHER ten dollars OR a voucher. Only rewriting the sentence, or placing appropriate punctuation can resolve a syntactic ambiguity.<ref name="ReferenceA">Critical Thinking, 10th ed., Ch 3, Moore, Brooke N. and Parker, Richard. McGraw-Hill, 2012</ref>
For the notion of, and theoretic results about, syntactic ambiguity in artificial, [[formal languages]] (such as computer [[programming language]]s), see [[Ambiguous grammar]].
Syntactic ambiguity arises when a sentence can have two (or more) different meanings because of the structure of the sentence—its syntax. This is often due to a modifying expression, such as a prepositional phrase, the application of which is unclear. "He ate the cookies on the couch", for example, could mean that he ate those cookies that were on the couch (as opposed to those that were on the table), or it could mean that he was sitting on the couch when he ate the cookies. "To get in, you will need an entrance fee of $10 or your voucher and your drivers' license." This could mean that you need EITHER ten dollars OR BOTH your voucher and your license. Or it could mean that you need your license AND you need EITHER ten dollars OR a voucher. Only rewriting the sentence, or placing appropriate punctuation can resolve a syntactic ambiguity.Critical Thinking, 10th ed., Ch 3, Moore, Brooke N. and Parker, Richard. McGraw-Hill, 2012
For the notion of, and theoretic results about, syntactic ambiguity in artificial, formal languages (such as computer programming languages), see Ambiguous grammar.
由于句子的结构ーー句法，一个句子可以有两个(或更多)不同的意义，这就产生了句法歧义。这通常是由于一个修饰表达式，如介词短语，其应用是不清楚的。例如，“他吃了沙发上的饼干”，可能意味着他吃了沙发上的饼干(而不是桌子上的) ，也可能意味着他吃饼干的时候是坐在沙发上的。“要想进去，你需要缴纳10美元的入场费，或者你的代金券和驾照。”这可能意味着你要么需要10美元，要么同时需要你的代金券和许可证。或者它可能意味着你需要你的许可证，你需要十美元或一张代金券。只有改写句子或者使用适当的标点符号才能解决句法歧义。批判性思维，第10版，Ch 3，Moore，Brooke N. 和 Parker，Richard。麦格劳-希尔，2012有关人工形式语言(如计算机编程语言)中的句法歧义的概念和理论结果，请参阅二义性文法。
Usually, semantic and syntactic ambiguity go hand in hand. The sentence "We saw her duck" is also syntactically ambiguous. Conversely, a sentence like "He ate the cookies on the couch" is also semantically ambiguous. Rarely, but occasionally, the different parsings of a syntactically ambiguous phrase result in the same meaning. For example, the command "Cook, cook!" can be parsed as "Cook (noun used as vocative), cook (imperative verb form)!", but also as "Cook (imperative verb form), cook (noun used as vocative)!". It is more common that a syntactically unambiguous phrase has a semantic ambiguity; for example, the lexical ambiguity in "Your boss is a funny man" is purely semantic, leading to the response "Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar?"
Usually, semantic and syntactic ambiguity go hand in hand. The sentence "We saw her duck" is also syntactically ambiguous. Conversely, a sentence like "He ate the cookies on the couch" is also semantically ambiguous. Rarely, but occasionally, the different parsings of a syntactically ambiguous phrase result in the same meaning. For example, the command "Cook, cook!" can be parsed as "Cook (noun used as vocative), cook (imperative verb form)!", but also as "Cook (imperative verb form), cook (noun used as vocative)!". It is more common that a syntactically unambiguous phrase has a semantic ambiguity; for example, the lexical ambiguity in "Your boss is a funny man" is purely semantic, leading to the response "Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar?"
通常，语义歧义和句法歧义是密切相关的。“我们看到她的鸭子”这个句子在句法上也有歧义。相反，像“他在沙发上吃了饼干”这样的句子在语义上也是模棱两可的。很少，但偶尔，不同的解析句法歧义短语结果相同的意思。例如，命令“ Cook，Cook!”可以解析为“ Cook (名词用作呼唤语) ，Cook (祈使动词形式) ！还可以作“ Cook (祈使动词形式) ，Cook (名词作呼语) !”。更常见的情况是，一个句法上不含糊的短语具有语义歧义; 例如，“你的老板是一个有趣的人”中的词汇歧义是纯粹的语义，导致回答“有趣的哈哈或有趣的特殊?”
[[Spoken language]] can contain many more types of ambiguities which are called phonological ambiguities, where there is more than one way to compose a set of sounds into words. For example, "ice cream" and "I scream". Such ambiguity is generally resolved according to the context. A mishearing of such, based on incorrectly resolved ambiguity, is called a [[mondegreen]].
Spoken language can contain many more types of ambiguities which are called phonological ambiguities, where there is more than one way to compose a set of sounds into words. For example, "ice cream" and "I scream". Such ambiguity is generally resolved according to the context. A mishearing of such, based on incorrectly resolved ambiguity, is called a mondegreen.
口头语言可以包含更多类型的歧义，称为语音歧义，其中有一个以上的方式组成一组声音到单词。例如，“冰淇淋”和“我尖叫”。这种模糊性通常根据上下文来解决。基于不正确解决的歧义而对此类错误理解，称为 mondegreen。
== Philosophy ==
Philosophers (and other users of logic) spend a lot of time and effort searching for and removing (or intentionally adding) ambiguity in arguments because it can lead to incorrect conclusions and can be used to deliberately conceal bad arguments. For example, a politician might say, "I oppose taxes which hinder economic growth", an example of a glittering generality. Some will think they oppose taxes in general because they hinder economic growth. Others may think they oppose only those taxes that they believe will hinder economic growth. In writing, the sentence can be rewritten to reduce possible misinterpretation, either by adding a comma after "taxes" (to convey the first sense) or by changing "which" to "that" (to convey the second sense) or by rewriting it in other ways. The devious politician hopes that each constituent will interpret the statement in the most desirable way, and think the politician supports everyone's opinion. However, the opposite can also be true—an opponent can turn a positive statement into a bad one if the speaker uses ambiguity (intentionally or not). The logical fallacies of amphiboly and equivocation rely heavily on the use of ambiguous words and phrases.
Philosophers (and other users of logic) spend a lot of time and effort searching for and removing (or intentionally adding) ambiguity in arguments because it can lead to incorrect conclusions and can be used to deliberately conceal bad arguments. For example, a politician might say, "I oppose taxes which hinder economic growth", an example of a glittering generality. Some will think they oppose taxes in general because they hinder economic growth. Others may think they oppose only those taxes that they believe will hinder economic growth. In writing, the sentence can be rewritten to reduce possible misinterpretation, either by adding a comma after "taxes" (to convey the first sense) or by changing "which" to "that" (to convey the second sense) or by rewriting it in other ways. The devious politician hopes that each constituent will interpret the statement in the most desirable way, and think the politician supports everyone's opinion. However, the opposite can also be true—an opponent can turn a positive statement into a bad one if the speaker uses ambiguity (intentionally or not). The logical fallacies of amphiboly and equivocation rely heavily on the use of ambiguous words and phrases.
哲学家(和其他逻辑使用者)花费大量的时间和精力寻找并消除(或有意增加)论点的模糊性，因为它可能导致不正确的结论，并可以用来故意隐藏不好的论点。例如，一个政治家可能会说，“我反对阻碍经济增长的税收”，这是一个光辉普照的例子。一些人会认为他们反对税收是因为它们阻碍了经济增长。其他人可能认为他们只反对那些他们认为会阻碍经济增长的税收。在写作中，可以重写句子以减少可能的误解，或者在“ tax”后面加一个逗号(传达第一种意思) ，或者将“ which”改为“ that”(传达第二种意思) ，或者以其他方式重写句子。狡猾的政治家希望每个选民都能以最令人满意的方式解读这份声明，并认为政治家支持每个人的观点。然而，反过来也可能是正确的ーー如果说话者使用歧义(有意或无意) ，对手可以把积极的陈述变成不好的陈述。模棱两可和模棱两可的逻辑谬误在很大程度上依赖于模棱两可的词汇和短语的使用。
In [[continental philosophy]] (particularly phenomenology and existentialism), there is much greater tolerance of ambiguity, as it is generally seen as an integral part of the human condition. [[Martin Heidegger]] argued that the relation between the subject and object is ambiguous, as is the relation of mind and body, and part and whole. In Heidegger's phenomenology, Dasein is always in a meaningful world, but there is always an underlying background for every instance of signification. Thus, although some things may be certain, they have little to do with Dasein's sense of care and existential anxiety, e.g., in the face of death. In calling his work Being and Nothingness an "essay in phenomenological ontology" [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] follows Heidegger in defining the human essence as ambiguous, or relating fundamentally to such ambiguity. [[Simone de Beauvoir]] tries to base an ethics on Heidegger's and Sartre's writings (The Ethics of Ambiguity), where she highlights the need to grapple with ambiguity: "as long as there have been philosophers and they have thought, most of them have tried to mask it{{nbs}}... And the ethics which they have proposed to their disciples has always pursued the same goal. It has been a matter of eliminating the ambiguity by making oneself pure inwardness or pure externality, by escaping from the sensible world or being engulfed by it, by yielding to eternity or enclosing oneself in the pure moment." Ethics cannot be based on the authoritative certainty given by mathematics and logic, or prescribed directly from the empirical findings of science. She states: "Since we do not succeed in fleeing it, let us, therefore, try to look the truth in the face. Let us try to assume our fundamental ambiguity. It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our life that we must draw our strength to live and our reason for acting". Other continental philosophers suggest that concepts such as life, nature, and sex are ambiguous. Corey Anton has argued that we cannot be certain what is separate from or unified with something else: language, he asserts, divides what is not, in fact, separate. Following Ernest Becker, he argues that the desire to 'authoritatively disambiguate' the world and existence has led to numerous ideologies and historical events such as genocide. On this basis, he argues that ethics must focus on 'dialectically integrating opposites' and balancing tension, rather than seeking a priori validation or certainty. Like the existentialists and phenomenologists, he sees the ambiguity of life as the basis of creativity.
In continental philosophy (particularly phenomenology and existentialism), there is much greater tolerance of ambiguity, as it is generally seen as an integral part of the human condition. Martin Heidegger argued that the relation between the subject and object is ambiguous, as is the relation of mind and body, and part and whole. In Heidegger's phenomenology, Dasein is always in a meaningful world, but there is always an underlying background for every instance of signification. Thus, although some things may be certain, they have little to do with Dasein's sense of care and existential anxiety, e.g., in the face of death. In calling his work Being and Nothingness an "essay in phenomenological ontology" Jean-Paul Sartre follows Heidegger in defining the human essence as ambiguous, or relating fundamentally to such ambiguity. Simone de Beauvoir tries to base an ethics on Heidegger's and Sartre's writings (The Ethics of Ambiguity), where she highlights the need to grapple with ambiguity: "as long as there have been philosophers and they have thought, most of them have tried to mask it... And the ethics which they have proposed to their disciples has always pursued the same goal. It has been a matter of eliminating the ambiguity by making oneself pure inwardness or pure externality, by escaping from the sensible world or being engulfed by it, by yielding to eternity or enclosing oneself in the pure moment." Ethics cannot be based on the authoritative certainty given by mathematics and logic, or prescribed directly from the empirical findings of science. She states: "Since we do not succeed in fleeing it, let us, therefore, try to look the truth in the face. Let us try to assume our fundamental ambiguity. It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our life that we must draw our strength to live and our reason for acting". Other continental philosophers suggest that concepts such as life, nature, and sex are ambiguous. Corey Anton has argued that we cannot be certain what is separate from or unified with something else: language, he asserts, divides what is not, in fact, separate. Following Ernest Becker, he argues that the desire to 'authoritatively disambiguate' the world and existence has led to numerous ideologies and historical events such as genocide. On this basis, he argues that ethics must focus on 'dialectically integrating opposites' and balancing tension, rather than seeking a priori validation or certainty. Like the existentialists and phenomenologists, he sees the ambiguity of life as the basis of creativity.
在大陆哲学(尤其是现象学和存在主义)中，对歧义有更大的容忍度，因为它通常被视为人类状况的一个组成部分。马丁·海德格尔认为，主体和客体之间的关系是模糊的，心灵和身体的关系，以及部分和整体的关系也是模糊的。在海德格尔的现象学中，此在始终处于一个有意义的世界中，但每一个意义的实例都有一个潜在的背景。因此，尽管有些事情可能是确定的，但它们与此在的关怀感和存在焦虑(例如面对死亡)几乎没有关系。海德格尔将他的著作《存在与虚无》称为“现象学本体论中的一篇文章”，这一让-保罗·萨特追随了海德格尔，将人的本质定义为模棱两可，或者从根本上与这种模棱两可相关。西蒙·波娃试图以海德格尔和萨特的著作(述模棱两可的道德)为基础建立一种伦理学，她强调需要克服模棱两可: “只要存在哲学家，他们有思想，大多数人都试图掩盖它... ... 他们向门徒提出的伦理学总是追求同一个目标。这是一个消除歧义的问题，通过使自己纯粹的内在或纯粹的外在性，通过逃离感性的世界或被它吞没，通过屈服于永恒或将自己封闭在纯粹的时刻。”伦理学不能建立在数学和逻辑所赋予的权威性确定性的基础上，也不能直接从科学的经验发现中得到规定。她说: “既然我们不能成功地逃离它，那么，就让我们试着面对现实吧。让我们试着假设我们的基本模糊性。正是在了解了我们生活的真实状况之后，我们才必须汲取生存的力量和采取行动的理由。”。其他大陆哲学家认为，生命、自然和性等概念是模棱两可的。科里 · 安东(Corey Anton)认为，我们无法确定什么是与其他事物分离或统一的: 他断言，语言分离了那些事实上没有分离的事物。在欧内斯特 · 贝克尔之后，他认为“权威性地消除”世界和存在的欲望导致了许多意识形态和历史事件，如种族灭绝。在此基础上，他认为伦理学必须关注“辩证地整合对立面”和平衡紧张关系，而不是寻求先验的验证或确定性。像存在主义者和现象学家一样，他把生活的模糊性看作是创造力的基础。
== Literature and rhetoric ==
In literature and rhetoric, ambiguity can be a useful tool. Groucho Marx's classic joke depends on a grammatical ambiguity for its humor, for example: "Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know". Songs and poetry often rely on ambiguous words for artistic effect, as in the song title "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (where "blue" can refer to the color, or to sadness).
In literature and rhetoric, ambiguity can be a useful tool. Groucho Marx's classic joke depends on a grammatical ambiguity for its humor, for example: "Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know". Songs and poetry often rely on ambiguous words for artistic effect, as in the song title "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (where "blue" can refer to the color, or to sadness).
在文学和修辞学中，歧义可以是一种有用的工具。格劳乔•马克思(Groucho Marx)的经典笑话取决于其幽默的语法模糊性，例如: “昨晚我穿着睡衣打死了一头大象。他是怎么穿上我的睡衣的，我永远也不会知道”。歌曲和诗歌往往依赖于含糊不清的词语来达到艺术效果，比如歌曲标题“ Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”(“ Blue”可以指颜色，也可以指悲伤)。
In the narrative, ambiguity can be introduced in several ways: motive, plot, character. [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] uses the latter type of ambiguity with notable effect in his novel ''The Great Gatsby''.
In the narrative, ambiguity can be introduced in several ways: motive, plot, character. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the latter type of ambiguity with notable effect in his novel The Great Gatsby.
在叙事中，歧义可以通过动机、情节、人物等几种方式引入。弗朗西斯·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德在他的小说了不起的盖茨比中使用了后一种模棱两可的手法，效果显著。
== Mathematical notation ==
[[Mathematical notation]], widely used in [[physics]] and other [[science]]s, avoids many ambiguities compared to expression in natural language. However, for various reasons, several [[Lexical (semiotics)|lexical]], [[syntactic]] and [[semantic]] ambiguities remain.
Mathematical notation, widely used in physics and other sciences, avoids many ambiguities compared to expression in natural language. However, for various reasons, several lexical, syntactic and semantic ambiguities remain.
= = 数学符号 = = 数学符号，广泛应用于物理学和其他科学领域，与自然语言表达相比，避免了许多歧义。然而，由于各种原因，一些词汇，句法和语义歧义仍然存在。
=== Names of functions ===
The '''ambiguity''' in the style of writing a [[Function (mathematics)|function]] should not be confused with a [[multivalued function]], which can (and should) be defined in a deterministic and unambiguous way. Several [[special function]]s still do not have established notations. Usually, the conversion to another notation requires to scale the argument or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions. Examples of such underestablished functions:
* [[Sinc function]]
* [[Elliptic integral#Complete elliptic integral of the third kind|Elliptic integral of the third kind]]; translating elliptic integral form [[MAPLE]] to [[Mathematica]], one should replace the second argument to its square, see [[Talk:Elliptic integral#List of notations]]; dealing with complex values, this may cause problems.
* [[Exponential integral]]<ref name="irene">{{cite book|url=http://www.math.sfu.ca/~cbm/aands/page_228.htm|title=Handbook on mathematical functions|last1=Abramovits|first1=M.|last2=Stegun|first2=I.|page=228}}</ref>
* [[Hermite polynomial]]<ref name="irene" />{{rp|775}}
The ambiguity in the style of writing a function should not be confused with a multivalued function, which can (and should) be defined in a deterministic and unambiguous way. Several special functions still do not have established notations. Usually, the conversion to another notation requires to scale the argument or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions. Examples of such underestablished functions:
* Sinc function
* Elliptic integral of the third kind; translating elliptic integral form MAPLE to Mathematica, one should replace the second argument to its square, see Talk:Elliptic integral#List of notations; dealing with complex values, this may cause problems.
* Exponential integral
* Hermite polynomial
= = = 函数名 = = = 函数写作风格的模糊性不应与多值函数混淆，后者可以(也应该)以确定性和明确的方式定义。一些特殊的功能仍然没有建立符号。通常，转换到另一个符号需要缩放参数或结果值; 有时，使用相同的函数名称会造成混淆。例如:
* Sinc 函数
* 第三类椭圆积分，将椭圆积分从 MAPLE 转换为 Mathematica，应该将第二个参数替换为它的平方，参见 Talk: 椭圆积分 # 符号列表，处理复杂的值，这可能会导致问题。
* Exponential integral
* Hermite polynomial
=== Expressions ===
Ambiguous expressions often appear in physical and mathematical texts.
It is common practice to omit multiplication signs in mathematical expressions. Also, it is common to give the same name to a variable and a function, for example, <math>f=f(x)</math>. Then, if one sees <math>f=f(y+1)</math>, there is no way to distinguish whether it means <math>f=f(x)</math> '''multiplied''' by <math>(y+1)</math>, or function <math>f</math> '''evaluated''' at argument equal to <math>(y+1)</math>. In each case of use of such notations, the reader is supposed to be able to perform the deduction and reveal the true meaning.
Ambiguous expressions often appear in physical and mathematical texts.
It is common practice to omit multiplication signs in mathematical expressions. Also, it is common to give the same name to a variable and a function, for example, f=f(x). Then, if one sees f=f(y+1), there is no way to distinguish whether it means f=f(x) multiplied by (y+1), or function f evaluated at argument equal to (y+1). In each case of use of such notations, the reader is supposed to be able to perform the deduction and reveal the true meaning.
模棱两可的表达式经常出现在物理和数学文本中。在数学表达式中省略乘法符号是一种常见的做法。另外，对变量和函数给出相同的名称也是很常见的，例如 f = f (x)。然后，如果看到 f = f (y + 1) ，就没有办法区分它是否意味着 f = f (x)乘以(y + 1) ，或者函数 f 在参数等于(y + 1)时求值。在使用这些符号的每一种情况下，读者应该能够进行演绎并揭示真正的含义。
Creators of algorithmic languages try to avoid ambiguities. Many algorithmic languages ([[C++]] and [[Fortran]]) require the character * as symbol of multiplication. The [[Wolfram Language]] used in [[Mathematica]] allows the user to omit the multiplication symbol, but requires square brackets to indicate the argument of a function; square brackets are not allowed for grouping of expressions. Fortran, in addition, does not allow use of the same name (identifier) for different objects, for example, function and variable; in particular, the expression '''f=f(x)''' is qualified as an error.
Creators of algorithmic languages try to avoid ambiguities. Many algorithmic languages (C++ and Fortran) require the character * as symbol of multiplication. The Wolfram Language used in Mathematica allows the user to omit the multiplication symbol, but requires square brackets to indicate the argument of a function; square brackets are not allowed for grouping of expressions. Fortran, in addition, does not allow use of the same name (identifier) for different objects, for example, function and variable; in particular, the expression f=f(x) is qualified as an error.
算法语言的创建者尽量避免歧义。许多算法语言(C + + 和 Fortran)要求字符 * 作为乘法的符号。在 Mathematica 使用的 Wolfram 语言允许用户省略 × ，但需要用方括号来表示函数的参数，不允许用方括号来分组表达式。此外，Fortran 不允许对不同的对象(例如函数和变量)使用相同的名称(标识符) ; 特别是，表达式 f = f (x)被限定为一个错误。
The order of operations may depend on the context. In most [[programming language]]s, the operations of division and multiplication have equal priority and are executed from left to right. Until the last century, many editorials assumed that multiplication is performed first, for example, <math>a/bc</math> is interpreted as <math>a/(bc)</math>; in this case, the insertion of parentheses is required when translating the formulas to an algorithmic language. In addition, it is common to write an argument of a function without parenthesis, which also may lead to ambiguity.
In the [[scientific journal]] style, one uses roman letters to denote elementary functions, whereas variables are written using italics.
For example, in mathematical journals the expression
<math> s i n</math>
does not denote the [[sine function]], but the
product of the three variables
<math>s</math>,
<math>i</math>,
<math>n</math>, although in the informal notation of a slide presentation it may stand for <math>\sin</math>.
The order of operations may depend on the context. In most programming languages, the operations of division and multiplication have equal priority and are executed from left to right. Until the last century, many editorials assumed that multiplication is performed first, for example, a/bc is interpreted as a/(bc); in this case, the insertion of parentheses is required when translating the formulas to an algorithmic language. In addition, it is common to write an argument of a function without parenthesis, which also may lead to ambiguity.
In the scientific journal style, one uses roman letters to denote elementary functions, whereas variables are written using italics.
For example, in mathematical journals the expression
s i n
does not denote the sine function, but the
product of the three variables
s,
i,
n, although in the informal notation of a slide presentation it may stand for \sin.
操作的顺序可能取决于上下文。在大多数编程语言中，除法运算和乘法运算具有同等的优先级，从左到右执行。直到上个世纪，许多社论都假设乘法是先执行的，例如，a/bc 被解释为 a/(bc) ; 在这种情况下，将公式翻译成算法语言时需要插入括号。此外，通常写一个没有括号的函数参数，这也可能导致歧义。在科学期刊风格中，使用罗马字母表示基本函数，而变量使用斜体。例如，在数学期刊中，表达式 sinn 并不表示正弦函数，而是三个变量 s，i，n 的乘积，尽管在幻灯片演示的非正式符号中，它可能代表 sin。
Commas in multi-component subscripts and superscripts are sometimes omitted; this is also potentially ambiguous notation.
For example, in the notation <math>T_{mnk}</math>, the reader can only infer from the context whether it means a single-index object, taken with the subscript equal to product of variables <math>m</math>, <math>n</math> and <math>k</math>, or it is an indication to a trivalent [[tensor]].
Commas in multi-component subscripts and superscripts are sometimes omitted; this is also potentially ambiguous notation.
For example, in the notation T_{mnk}, the reader can only infer from the context whether it means a single-index object, taken with the subscript equal to product of variables m, n and k, or it is an indication to a trivalent tensor.
多组件下标和上标中的逗号有时会被省略; 这也可能是模棱两可的表示法。例如，在符号 T _ { mnk }中，读者只能从上下文中推断它是指一个单索引对象，下标等于变量 m、 n 和 k 的乘积，还是指一个三价张量。
=== Examples of potentially confusing ambiguous mathematical expressions ===
An expression such as <math>\sin^2\alpha/2</math> can be understood to mean either <math>(\sin(\alpha/2))^2</math> or <math>(\sin \alpha)^2/2</math>. Often the author's intention can be understood from the context, in cases where only one of the two makes sense, but an ambiguity like this should be avoided, for example by writing <math>\sin^2(\alpha/2)</math> or <math display="inline">\frac{1}{2}\sin^2\alpha</math>.
An expression such as \sin^2\alpha/2 can be understood to mean either (\sin(\alpha/2))^2 or (\sin \alpha)^2/2. Often the author's intention can be understood from the context, in cases where only one of the two makes sense, but an ambiguity like this should be avoided, for example by writing \sin^2(\alpha/2) or \frac{1}{2}\sin^2\alpha.
= = = 可能混淆不清的数学表达式的例子 = = = 如 sin ^ 2alpha/2这样的表达式可以理解为(sin (alpha/2)) ^ 2或(sin alpha) ^ 2/2。通常情况下，作者的意图可以从上下文中理解，在两者中只有一个有意义的情况下，但是应该避免这样的歧义，例如通过写 sin ^ 2(alpha/2)或 frac {1}{2} sin ^ 2 alpha。
The expression <math>\sin^{-1}\alpha</math> means <math>\arcsin(\alpha)</math> in several texts, though it might be thought to mean <math>(\sin \alpha)^{-1}</math>, since <math>\sin^{n} \alpha</math> commonly means <math>(\sin \alpha)^{n}</math>. Conversely, <math>\sin^2 \alpha</math> might seem to mean <math>\sin(\sin \alpha)</math>, as this [[exponentiation]] notation usually denotes [[function iteration]]: in general, <math>f^2(x)</math> means <math>f(f(x))</math>. However, for [[trigonometric]] and [[hyperbolic functions]], this notation conventionally means exponentiation of the result of function application.
The expression \sin^{-1}\alpha means \arcsin(\alpha) in several texts, though it might be thought to mean (\sin \alpha)^{-1}, since \sin^{n} \alpha commonly means (\sin \alpha)^{n}. Conversely, \sin^2 \alpha might seem to mean \sin(\sin \alpha), as this exponentiation notation usually denotes function iteration: in general, f^2(x) means f(f(x)). However, for trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, this notation conventionally means exponentiation of the result of function application.
表达式 sin ^ {-1} alpha 在几个文本中意味着 arcsin (alpha) ，尽管它可能被认为意味着(sin alpha) ^ {-1} ，因为 sin ^ { n } alpha 通常意味着(sin alpha) ^ { n }。相反，sin ^ 2 alpha 似乎表示 sin (sin alpha) ，因为这个指数表示法通常表示函数迭代: 一般来说，f ^ 2(x)表示 f (f (x))。然而，对于三角函数和双曲函数，这种表示法通常意味着函数应用结果的指数化。
The expression <math>a/2b</math> can be interpreted as meaning <math>(a/2)b</math>; however, it is more commonly understood to mean <math>a/(2b)</math>.
The expression a/2b can be interpreted as meaning (a/2)b; however, it is more commonly understood to mean a/(2b).
表达式 a/2b 可以被解释为意思(a/2) b; 然而，它通常被理解为意思 a/(2b)。
=== Notations in quantum optics and quantum mechanics ===
It is common to define the [[coherent states]] in [[quantum optics]] with <math>~|\alpha\rangle~ </math> and states with fixed number of photons with <math>~|n\rangle~</math>. Then, there is an "unwritten rule": the state is coherent if there are more Greek characters than Latin characters in the argument, and <math>~n~</math>photon state if the Latin characters dominate. The ambiguity becomes even worse, if <math>~|x\rangle~</math> is used for the states with certain value of the coordinate, and <math>~|p\rangle~</math> means the state with certain value of the momentum, which may be used in books on [[quantum mechanics]]. Such ambiguities easily lead to confusions, especially if some normalized [[adimensional]], [[dimensionless]] variables are used. Expression <math> |1\rangle </math> may mean a state with single photon, or the coherent state with mean amplitude equal to 1, or state with momentum equal to unity, and so on. The reader is supposed to guess from the context.
It is common to define the coherent states in quantum optics with ~|\alpha\rangle~ and states with fixed number of photons with ~|n\rangle~. Then, there is an "unwritten rule": the state is coherent if there are more Greek characters than Latin characters in the argument, and ~n~photon state if the Latin characters dominate. The ambiguity becomes even worse, if ~|x\rangle~ is used for the states with certain value of the coordinate, and ~|p\rangle~ means the state with certain value of the momentum, which may be used in books on quantum mechanics. Such ambiguities easily lead to confusions, especially if some normalized adimensional, dimensionless variables are used. Expression |1\rangle may mean a state with single photon, or the coherent state with mean amplitude equal to 1, or state with momentum equal to unity, and so on. The reader is supposed to guess from the context.
= = = 量子光学中的符号和量子力学 = = = = 常见的定义是量子光学中的相干态和固定数量的光子态。然后，有一个“不成文的规则”: 国家是连贯的，如果有更多的希腊字符比拉丁字符的论点，和 ~ n ~ 光子状态，如果拉丁字符占主导地位。如果 ~ | x 范围 ~ 用于具有一定坐标值的状态，而 ~ | p 范围 ~ 意味着具有一定动量值的状态，这种模糊性就更加严重了，这种模糊性可以在量子力学书籍中使用。这种模糊性很容易导致混淆，特别是如果使用一些规范化的无量纲变量。表达式 | 1的范围可以表示一个单光子态，或者平均振幅等于1的相干态，或者动量等于单位的态，等等。读者应该根据上下文来猜测。
=== Ambiguous terms in physics and mathematics ===
Some physical quantities do not yet have established notations; their value (and sometimes even [[dimension]], as in the case of the [[Einstein coefficients]]), depends on the system of notations. Many terms are ambiguous. Each use of an ambiguous term should be preceded by the definition, suitable for a specific case. Just like [[Ludwig Wittgenstein]] states in [[Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus]]: "...{{nbs}}Only in the context of a proposition has a name meaning."<ref>{{cite book|title=Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus|last=Wittgenstein|first=Ludwig|publisher=Dover Publications Inc.|year=1999|isbn=978-0-486-40445-5|page=39}}</ref>
Some physical quantities do not yet have established notations; their value (and sometimes even dimension, as in the case of the Einstein coefficients), depends on the system of notations. Many terms are ambiguous. Each use of an ambiguous term should be preceded by the definition, suitable for a specific case. Just like Ludwig Wittgenstein states in Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus: "...Only in the context of a proposition has a name meaning."
物理和数学中的模棱两可的术语 = = = = 一些物理量还没有建立符号; 它们的价值(有时甚至维度，就像爱因斯坦系数那样)取决于符号系统。很多术语都是模棱两可的。每次使用一个模棱两可的术语之前，应该有一个定义，适合于特定的情况。就像路德维希·维特根斯坦逻辑哲学论中的状态: “ ... ... 只有在一个命题的上下文中才有名字的意思。”
A highly confusing term is ''gain''. For example, the sentence "the gain of a system should be doubled", without context, means close to nothing.
A highly confusing term is gain. For example, the sentence "the gain of a system should be doubled", without context, means close to nothing.
一个非常令人困惑的术语是收益。例如，句子“一个系统的收益应该翻倍”，没有上下文，意味着几乎没有。
* It may mean that the ratio of the output voltage of an electric circuit to the input voltage should be doubled.
* It may mean that the ratio of the output power of an electric or optical circuit to the input power should be doubled.
* It may mean that the gain of the laser medium should be doubled, for example, doubling the population of the upper laser level in a quasi-two level system (assuming negligible absorption of the ground-state).
* It may mean that the ratio of the output voltage of an electric circuit to the input voltage should be doubled.
* It may mean that the ratio of the output power of an electric or optical circuit to the input power should be doubled.
* It may mean that the gain of the laser medium should be doubled, for example, doubling the population of the upper laser level in a quasi-two level system (assuming negligible absorption of the ground-state).
* 这可能意味着电路的输出电压与输入电压的比率应增加一倍。
* 这可能意味着电路或光路的输出功率与输入功率的比率应增加一倍。
* 这可能意味着激光介质的增益应该增加一倍，例如，在准二能级系统中使上层激光能级的数量增加一倍(假设基态的吸收可以忽略不计)。
The term ''intensity'' is ambiguous when applied to light. The term can refer to any of [[irradiance]], [[luminous intensity]], [[radiant intensity]], or [[radiance]], depending on the background of the person using the term.
The term intensity is ambiguous when applied to light. The term can refer to any of irradiance, luminous intensity, radiant intensity, or radiance, depending on the background of the person using the term.
强度这个词用在光上是模棱两可的。根据使用这个术语的人的背景，这个术语可以指任何的辐射、发光强度、辐射强度或者辐射。
Also, confusions may be related with the use of [[atomic percent]] as measure of concentration of a [[dopant]], or [[Optical resolution|resolution]] of an imaging system, as measure of the size of the smallest detail which still can be resolved at the background of statistical noise. See also [[Accuracy and precision]] and its talk.
Also, confusions may be related with the use of atomic percent as measure of concentration of a dopant, or resolution of an imaging system, as measure of the size of the smallest detail which still can be resolved at the background of statistical noise. See also Accuracy and precision and its talk.
此外，混淆可能与使用原子百分比作为掺杂剂浓度的测量，或成像系统的分辨率作为仍然可以在统计噪声背景下解决的最小细节的大小的测量有关。参见准确与精密和它的谈话。
The [[Berry paradox]] arises as a result of systematic ambiguity in the meaning of terms such as "definable" or "nameable". Terms of this kind give rise to [[Virtuous circle and vicious circle|vicious circle]] fallacies. Other terms with this type of ambiguity are: satisfiable, true, false, function, property, class, relation, cardinal, and ordinal.<ref>Russell/Whitehead, ''Principia Mathematica''</ref>
The Berry paradox arises as a result of systematic ambiguity in the meaning of terms such as "definable" or "nameable". Terms of this kind give rise to vicious circle fallacies. Other terms with this type of ambiguity are: satisfiable, true, false, function, property, class, relation, cardinal, and ordinal.Russell/Whitehead, Principia Mathematica
贝里悖论的产生是由于术语含义的系统性歧义，如“可定义的”或“命名的”。这种说法会导致恶性循环谬论。具有这种歧义的其他术语有: 可满足的、真的、假的、函数的、属性的、类的、关系的、基数的和序数的。罗素/怀特黑德数学原理
== Mathematical interpretation of ambiguity ==
[[File:Necker cube and impossible cube.svg|The [[Necker cube]] and [[impossible cube]], an underdetermined and overdetermined object, respectively.|thumb]]
In mathematics and logic, ambiguity can be considered to be an instance of the logical concept of [[underdetermination]]—for example, <math>X=Y</math> leaves open what the value of ''X'' is—while its opposite{{explain|date=December 2021|reason=What is its opposite? Not self-evident}} is a [[Self-refuting idea|self-contradiction]], also called [[inconsistency]], [[paradoxicalness]], or [[oxymoron]], or in mathematics an [[inconsistent system]]—such as <math>X=2, X=3</math>, which has no solution.
In mathematics and logic, ambiguity can be considered to be an instance of the logical concept of underdetermination—for example, X=Y leaves open what the value of X is—while its opposite is a self-contradiction, also called inconsistency, paradoxicalness, or oxymoron, or in mathematics an inconsistent system—such as X=2, X=3, which has no solution.
在数学和逻辑学中，模糊性可以被认为是不确定性逻辑概念的一个实例ーー例如，X = Y 没有给出 X 的价值是什么ーー而它的对立面是一个自相矛盾，也称为不一致性、矛盾性或矛盾修饰法，或者在数学中是一个不一致的系统ーー例如 X = 2，X = 3，它没有解决方案。
Logical ambiguity and self-contradiction is analogous to visual ambiguity and [[impossible object]]s, such as the Necker cube and impossible cube, or many of the drawings of [[M. C. Escher]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Goldstein|first=Laurence|year=1996|title=Reflexivity, Contradiction, Paradox and M. C. Escher|journal=[[Leonardo (journal)|Leonardo]]|volume=29|issue=4|pages=299–308|doi=10.2307/1576313|jstor=1576313|s2cid=191403643}}</ref>
Logical ambiguity and self-contradiction is analogous to visual ambiguity and impossible objects, such as the Necker cube and impossible cube, or many of the drawings of M. C. Escher.
逻辑模糊和自相矛盾类似于视觉模糊和不可能的对象，如内克河立方体和不可能的立方体，或许多埃舍尔的画。
== Constructed language ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2016}}
Some [[Constructed language|languages have been created]] with the intention of avoiding ambiguity, especially [[Polysemy|lexical ambiguity]]. [[Lojban]] and [[Loglan]] are two related languages which have been created for this, focusing chiefly on syntactic ambiguity as well. The languages can be both spoken and written. These languages are intended to provide a greater technical precision over big natural languages, although historically, such attempts at language improvement have been criticized. Languages composed from many diverse sources contain much ambiguity and inconsistency. The many exceptions to [[syntax]] and [[semantic]] rules are time-consuming and difficult to learn.
Some languages have been created with the intention of avoiding ambiguity, especially lexical ambiguity. Lojban and Loglan are two related languages which have been created for this, focusing chiefly on syntactic ambiguity as well. The languages can be both spoken and written. These languages are intended to provide a greater technical precision over big natural languages, although historically, such attempts at language improvement have been criticized. Languages composed from many diverse sources contain much ambiguity and inconsistency. The many exceptions to syntax and semantic rules are time-consuming and difficult to learn.
有些语言是为了避免歧义，特别是词汇歧义而创造的。Lojban 和 Loglan 是两种相关的语言，它们都是为此而创建的，也主要关注句法歧义。这些语言既可以说也可以写。这些语言旨在提供比大型自然语言更高的技术精度，尽管在历史上，这种改进语言的尝试一直受到批评。由许多不同来源组成的语言包含许多歧义和不一致性。语法和语义规则的许多例外都很费时，而且很难学习。
== Biology ==
In [[structural biology]], ambiguity has been recognized as a problem for studying [[Protein structure|protein conformations]].<ref name="protein_ambig">{{Cite journal|last1=Postic|first1=Guillaume|last2=Ghouzam|first2=Yassine|last3=Chebrek|first3=Romain|last4=Gelly|first4=Jean-Christophe|date=2017|title=An ambiguity principle for assigning protein structural domains|journal=Science Advances|volume=3|issue=1|pages=e1600552|doi=10.1126/sciadv.1600552|issn=2375-2548|pmc=5235333|pmid=28097215|bibcode=2017SciA....3E0552P}}</ref> The analysis of a protein three-dimensional structure consists in dividing the macromolecule into subunits called [[Protein domain|domains]]. The difficulty of this task arises from the fact that different definitions of what a domain is can be used (e.g. folding autonomy, function, thermodynamic stability, or domain motions), which sometimes results in a single protein having different—yet equally valid—domain assignments.
In structural biology, ambiguity has been recognized as a problem for studying protein conformations. The analysis of a protein three-dimensional structure consists in dividing the macromolecule into subunits called domains. The difficulty of this task arises from the fact that different definitions of what a domain is can be used (e.g. folding autonomy, function, thermodynamic stability, or domain motions), which sometimes results in a single protein having different—yet equally valid—domain assignments.
在结构生物学中，模糊性已经被认为是研究蛋白质构象的一个问题。对蛋白质三维结构的分析包括将大分子划分为称为结构域的亚基。这项任务的困难之处在于可以使用不同的领域定义(例如:。折叠自主性、功能、热力学稳定性或结构域运动) ，有时导致单个蛋白质具有不同但同样有效的结构域分配。
== Christianity and Judaism ==
[[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] employ the concept of paradox synonymously with "ambiguity". Many Christians and Jews endorse Rudolf Otto's description of the sacred as 'mysterium tremendum et fascinans', the awe-inspiring mystery which fascinates humans.{{Dubious|date=May 2019}} The orthodox Catholic writer [[G. K. Chesterton]] regularly employed paradox to tease out the meanings in common concepts which he found ambiguous or to reveal meaning often overlooked or forgotten in common phrases. (The title of one of his most famous books, Orthodoxy, itself employing such a paradox.)
Christianity and Judaism employ the concept of paradox synonymously with "ambiguity". Many Christians and Jews endorse Rudolf Otto's description of the sacred as 'mysterium tremendum et fascinans', the awe-inspiring mystery which fascinates humans. The orthodox Catholic writer G. K. Chesterton regularly employed paradox to tease out the meanings in common concepts which he found ambiguous or to reveal meaning often overlooked or forgotten in common phrases. (The title of one of his most famous books, Orthodoxy, itself employing such a paradox.)
= = 犹太教与基督教 = = = 犹太教与基督教运用悖论的概念，与“模棱两可”同义。许多基督徒和犹太人赞同鲁道夫 · 奥托对神圣的描述，认为它是“令人惊叹和着迷的神秘”，令人敬畏的神秘使人着迷。这位正统天主教作家经常使用悖论 G·K·切斯特顿来梳理常见概念中含糊不清的含义，或者揭示常见短语中经常被忽视或遗忘的含义。(他最著名的著作之一《东正教》的书名就引用了这样一个悖论。)
== Music ==
In [[music]], pieces or sections which confound expectations and may be or are interpreted simultaneously in different ways are ambiguous, such as some [[polytonality]], [[polymeter]], other ambiguous [[metre|meters]] or [[rhythm]]s, and ambiguous [[phrase (music)|phrasing]], or (Stein 2005, p.{{nbs}}79) any [[aspect of music]]. The [[music of Africa]] is often purposely ambiguous. To quote [[Donald Francis Tovey|Sir Donald Francis Tovey]] (1935, p.{{nbs}}195), "Theorists are apt to vex themselves with vain efforts to remove uncertainty just where it has a high aesthetic value."
In music, pieces or sections which confound expectations and may be or are interpreted simultaneously in different ways are ambiguous, such as some polytonality, polymeter, other ambiguous meters or rhythms, and ambiguous phrasing, or (Stein 2005, p.79) any aspect of music. The music of Africa is often purposely ambiguous. To quote Sir Donald Francis Tovey (1935, p.195), "Theorists are apt to vex themselves with vain efforts to remove uncertainty just where it has a high aesthetic value."
= = 音乐 = = 在音乐中，那些打乱预期、可以或可以用不同方式同时解释的作品或章节是模棱两可的，比如一些多调性、多分辨率、其他模棱两可的节拍或节奏、模棱两可的措辞，或者(Stein 2005，第79页)音乐的任何方面。非洲的音乐常常故意含糊不清。引用托维(1935，第195页)的话说，“理论家们总是徒劳地为消除具有高度审美价值的不确定性而烦恼。”
== Visual art ==
[[File:KB ambiguous image.png|thumb|This image can be interpreted three ways: as the letters "K B", as the mathematical inequality "1 < 13", or as the letters "''V'' D" with their mirror image.<ref name="protein_ambig" />]]
In visual art, certain images are visually ambiguous, such as the [[Necker cube]], which can be interpreted in two ways. Perceptions of such objects remain stable for a time, then may flip, a phenomenon called [[multistable perception]].
The opposite of such [[ambiguous image]]s are [[impossible object]]s.<ref>{{cite book
|last=Seckel
|first=Al
|author-link=Al Seckel
|date=2009
|title=Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception
|url=https://www.fireflybooks.com/catalogue/product/8979-optical-illusions-the-science-of-visual-perception?search=Fall%202019
|location=Canada
|publisher=Firefly Books Ltd.
|isbn=978-1554071722
}}</ref>
thumb|This image can be interpreted three ways: as the letters "K B", as the mathematical inequality "1 < 13", or as the letters "V D" with their mirror image.
In visual art, certain images are visually ambiguous, such as the Necker cube, which can be interpreted in two ways. Perceptions of such objects remain stable for a time, then may flip, a phenomenon called multistable perception.
The opposite of such ambiguous images are impossible objects.
= = 视觉艺术 = = 拇指 | 这个图像可以解释为三种方式: 作为字母“ KB”，作为数学不等式“1 < 13”，或作为字母“ VD”与其镜像。在视觉艺术中，某些图像在视觉上是模棱两可的，例如内克河立方体，它可以用两种方式来解释。对这些物体的感知在一段时间内保持稳定，然后可能发生变化，这种现象被称为多稳态知觉。这种模糊不清的图像的对立面是不可能的对象。
Pictures or photographs may also be ambiguous at the semantic level: the visual image is unambiguous, but the meaning and narrative may be ambiguous: is a certain facial expression one of excitement or fear, for instance?
Pictures or photographs may also be ambiguous at the semantic level: the visual image is unambiguous, but the meaning and narrative may be ambiguous: is a certain facial expression one of excitement or fear, for instance?
图片或照片在语义层面上也可能是模棱两可的: 视觉形象是明确的，但意义和叙述可能是模棱两可的: 例如，某种面部表情是兴奋还是恐惧？
== Social psychology and the bystander effect ==
In [[social psychology]], ambiguity is a factor used in determining peoples' responses to various situations. High levels of ambiguity in an emergency (e.g. an unconscious man lying on a park bench) make witnesses less likely to offer any sort of assistance, due to the fear that they may have misinterpreted the situation and acted unnecessarily. Alternately, non-ambiguous emergencies (e.g. an injured person verbally asking for help) elicit more consistent intervention and assistance. With regard to the [[bystander effect]], studies have shown that emergencies deemed ambiguous trigger the appearance of the classic bystander effect (wherein more witnesses decrease the likelihood of any of them helping) far more than non-ambiguous emergencies.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Bystander Effect as a Function of Ambiguity and Emergency Character|journal=The Journal of Social Psychology|volume=100|pages=145–146|doi=10.1080/00224545.1976.9711917|year=1976|last1=Mason|first1=David|last2=Allen|first2=Bem P.}}</ref>
In social psychology, ambiguity is a factor used in determining peoples' responses to various situations. High levels of ambiguity in an emergency (e.g. an unconscious man lying on a park bench) make witnesses less likely to offer any sort of assistance, due to the fear that they may have misinterpreted the situation and acted unnecessarily. Alternately, non-ambiguous emergencies (e.g. an injured person verbally asking for help) elicit more consistent intervention and assistance. With regard to the bystander effect, studies have shown that emergencies deemed ambiguous trigger the appearance of the classic bystander effect (wherein more witnesses decrease the likelihood of any of them helping) far more than non-ambiguous emergencies.
= = 社会心理学和旁观者效应 = = = 在社会心理学中，模糊性是决定人们对各种情况的反应的一个因素。在紧急情况下模棱两可(例如:。一个昏迷的男人躺在公园的长椅上)使得目击者不太可能提供任何形式的帮助，因为他们担心他们可能误解了情况并且做出了不必要的行为。或者，非模棱两可的紧急情况(例如:。口头请求帮助的受伤者)引起更持续的干预和帮助。关于旁观者效应，研究表明，被认为模棱两可的紧急情况比模棱两可的紧急情况更容易引发传统旁观者效应的出现(更多的目击者会降低其中任何一个帮助的可能性)。
== Computer science ==
In [[computer science]], the [[SI prefix]]es [[kilo-]], [[mega-]] and [[giga-]] were historically used in certain contexts to mean either the first three powers of 1024 (1024, 1024<sup>2</sup> and 1024<sup>3</sup>) contrary to the [[metric system]] in which these units unambiguously mean one thousand, one million, and one billion. This usage is particularly prevalent with electronic memory devices (e.g. [[DRAM]]) addressed directly by a binary machine register where a decimal interpretation makes no practical sense.
In computer science, the SI prefixes kilo-, mega- and giga- were historically used in certain contexts to mean either the first three powers of 1024 (1024, 10242 and 10243) contrary to the metric system in which these units unambiguously mean one thousand, one million, and one billion. This usage is particularly prevalent with electronic memory devices (e.g. DRAM) addressed directly by a binary machine register where a decimal interpretation makes no practical sense.
= = 计算机科学 = = 在计算机科学中，SI 前缀 kilo-，mega-和 Giga-历史上在某些情况下被用来表示1024(1024,10242和10243)的前三个幂，而在公制系统中，这些单位毫不含糊地表示1001,100,10亿。这种用法在电子记忆装置(例如:。DRAM)由二进制机器寄存器直接寻址，其中十进制解释没有实际意义。
Subsequently, the Ki, Mi, and Gi prefixes were introduced so that [[metric prefix#Binary prefixes|binary prefixes]] could be written explicitly, also rendering k, M, and G ''unambiguous'' in texts conforming to the new standard—this led to a ''new'' ambiguity in engineering documents lacking outward trace of the binary prefixes (necessarily indicating the new style) as to whether the usage of k, M, and G remains ambiguous (old style) or not (new style). 1 M (where M is ambiguously 1,000,000 or 1,048,576) is ''less'' uncertain than the engineering value 1.0e6 (defined to designate the interval 950,000 to 1,050,000). As non-volatile storage devices begin to exceed 1 GB in capacity (where the ambiguity begins to routinely impact the second significant digit), GB and TB almost always mean 10<sup>9</sup> and 10<sup>12</sup> [[bytes]].
Subsequently, the Ki, Mi, and Gi prefixes were introduced so that binary prefixes could be written explicitly, also rendering k, M, and G unambiguous in texts conforming to the new standard—this led to a new ambiguity in engineering documents lacking outward trace of the binary prefixes (necessarily indicating the new style) as to whether the usage of k, M, and G remains ambiguous (old style) or not (new style). 1 M (where M is ambiguously 1,000,000 or 1,048,576) is less uncertain than the engineering value 1.0e6 (defined to designate the interval 950,000 to 1,050,000). As non-volatile storage devices begin to exceed 1 GB in capacity (where the ambiguity begins to routinely impact the second significant digit), GB and TB almost always mean 109 and 1012 bytes.
随后，引入了 Ki、 Mi 和 Gi 前缀，这样二进制前缀就可以明确地书写，也使得符合新标准的文本中的 k、 M 和 G 不再有歧义ーー这导致了工程文档中缺乏二进制前缀外部痕迹(必然表明新风格)的新的歧义，即 k、 M 和 G 的用法是否仍然有歧义(旧风格)或不歧义(新风格)。1M (其中 M 含糊不清地为1.000,000或1.048,576)比工程值1.0 e6(定义为指定区间950,000至1.050,000)更不确定。当非易失性存储设备的容量开始超过1GB 时(在这种情况下，模糊性开始经常影响第二个有效数字) ，GB 和 TB 几乎总是意味着109和1012字节。
== See also ==
{{div col|content=
* [[Abbreviation]]
* [[Ambiguity (law)]]
* [[Ambiguity tolerance]]
* [[Amphibology]]
* [[Buzzword]]
* [[Decision problem]]
* [[Discrete mathematics]]
* [[Double entendre]]
* [[Equivocation]]
* [[Essentially contested concept]]
* [[Fallacy]]
* [[Formal fallacy]]
* [[Golden hammer]]
* [[Informal fallacy]]
* [[Pleonasm]]
* [[Self reference]]
* [[Semantics]]
* [[Uncertainty]]
* [[Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity]]
* [[Word-sense disambiguation]]
}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wiktionary|ambiguity}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{cite SEP |url-id=ambiguity |title=Ambiguity}}
*{{InPho|idea|1883}}
*{{PhilPapers|search|ambiguity}}
*[http://www.gray-area.org/Research/Ambig/ Collection of Ambiguous or Inconsistent/Incomplete Statements]
*[http://www.languagesoftware.net/articles/better-english-leaving-out-ambiguities/?article2pdf=1? Leaving out ambiguities when writing]
*
*
*
*
*Collection of Ambiguous or Inconsistent/Incomplete Statements
*Leaving out ambiguities when writing
= = 外部链接 = =
*
*
*
* 收集模棱两可或不一致/不完整的语句
* 写作时避免模棱两可
{{Fallacies}}
{{Philosophical logic}}
{{Philosophy of language}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Formal semantics}}
[[Category:Ambiguity| ]]
[[Category:Semantics]]
[[Category:Mathematical notation]]
[[Category:Concepts in epistemology]]
[[Category:Barriers to critical thinking]]
[[Category:Formal semantics (natural language)]]
Category:Semantics
Category:Mathematical notation
Category:Concepts in epistemology
Category:Barriers to critical thinking
Category:Formal semantics (natural language)
分类: 语义学分类: 数学符号分类: 认识论概念分类: 批判性思维障碍分类: 形式语义学(自然语言)
<noinclude>
<small>This page was moved from [[wikipedia:en:Ambiguity]]. Its edit history can be viewed at [[模糊性/edithistory]]</small></noinclude>
[[Category:待整理页面]]