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Ambiguous Language

What is it?

Ambiguous language can be understood in different ways and in different situations by different people. This is because it is dependent on the context and the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the participant. It also depends on how much you know of the situation and the person, your understanding of nonverbal communication (how the voice is used for sarcasm, humour etc.) Ambigous language is used far and wide within society and there appears to be an increase in use as young people move through education (as the curriculum becomes more complex and also as they mature socially).

If young people struggle with this aspect of language it can impact on their academic succes as well as on their social interactions. They can struggle to understand the curriculum - this may make them feel inadequate and impact on their self esteem. They may also struggle with friendship groups as they may misunderstand situations which can lead to conflict as well as missing out on the humour involved in peer group interactions. This can also impact on their self-esteem.

Examples

This list isn't exhaustive but gives you an example of some of the ambiguous/figurative/nonliteral language that can be used in our schools.

Sarcasm (why don't you open the window too? Responding to someone leaving the door open!)

Idiomatic phrases (it's raining cats and dogs)

Metaphor (this classroom is a zoo)

Irony (this can difficult to define and often depends on the audience's/listener's expectations can be situational e.g. an ambulance driver speeds to the scene of a road traffic accident and runs over then man who wasn't really hurt)

Slang (Bromance)

Multiple meaning words ('The man made a bolt for the door' - was he a carpenter or trying to escape?)

Indirect Language ("Do you know if she passed her test?")

Simile (slept like a log)

Hyperbole (that jumper could fit the entire family in it)

Puns (reading and sunbathing at the same time makes you well red/read)

Strategies to Support

be aware of your use of ambiguous language
check understanding of the language by asking them to explain in their own words
teach then some specific examples
teach in everyday situations
use Comic Strip Conversations to highlight, visually, that what people say isn't always what they mean

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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