TIP OF THE DAY 97: Ambiguity in discourse analysis part 1
I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day
QUESTION: How do I view the Logos/Verbum discourse analysis of Scripture?
Skill: toggle discourse analysis filter
ANSWER: It is a built-in filter available in Bibles with a reverse interlinear:
Open Bible, generally this would be your highest priority Bible which can be opened via the Bible icon on the application tool bar. Note you may wish to use this method even if the Bible you wish to open is simply a parallel Bible to your highest priority Bible.
On the dynamic tool bar select Formatting.
Select Reformat.
Turn on the toggle switch (drag do to the right).
Select Discourse features (Greek) and/or Discourse features (Hebrew).
Turn on (or off) the individual discourse features as desired.
For documentation on the analysis see:
Husser, Lydia. Lexham Discourse Hebrew Bible: Dataset Documentation. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016.
Husser, Lydia. Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament: Dataset Documentation. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016.
QUESTION: What kinds of ambiguity arise in discourse grammar?
Based on the search results and my knowledge of discourse grammar, several types of ambiguity can arise in discourse analysis:
1. Semantic Ambiguity: This occurs when words or phrases have multiple possible meanings within the context of the discourse. In discourse grammar, this can affect the interpretation of cohesive devices or discourse markers.
2. Syntactic Ambiguity: This arises from sentence structure that allows for multiple interpretations. In discourse analysis, this can impact the understanding of how clauses or sentences relate to each other.
3. Lexical Ambiguity: This involves words with multiple meanings (polysemy) or words that sound the same but have different meanings (homonyms). In discourse, this can affect the interpretation of key terms or concepts across multiple sentences or paragraphs.
4. Narrative Ambiguity: While not explicitly mentioned in the search results, this type of ambiguity is particularly relevant to discourse grammar. It can occur when the overall structure or progression of a discourse is unclear, making it difficult to determine the relationships between different parts of the text.
5. Referential Ambiguity: This is a common issue in discourse grammar, where pronouns or other referential expressions have unclear antecedents, making it difficult to determine what or who is being referred to across sentences.
6. Temporal Ambiguity: In discourse, this can arise from unclear or inconsistent use of tense and aspect, making the sequence of events or the temporal relationships between different parts of the discourse unclear.
7. Logical Ambiguity: This can occur when the logical connections between ideas or arguments in a discourse are not clearly articulated, leading to multiple possible interpretations of the overall meaning or intent.
8. Pragmatic Ambiguity: This arises when the intended meaning or implication of an utterance is unclear within the broader context of the discourse, potentially leading to misunderstandings of the speaker's or writer's intentions.
These types of ambiguity in discourse grammar can affect coherence, cohesion, and overall interpretation of texts or conversations. They often require careful analysis of context, co-text, and discourse structure to resolve.1
QUESTION: With respect to discourse analysis of scripture, provide examples of narrative ambiguity.
ANSWER: From Perplexity
Narrative ambiguity is a common feature in New Testament texts, particularly in the Gospels and Acts. This intentional ambiguity serves several purposes, including inviting reader engagement and allowing for multiple valid interpretations. Here are some examples of narrative ambiguity in the New Testament:
Ambiguous Referents
One type of ambiguity involves unclear referents, especially with the term "kyrios" (Lord), which can refer to either God or Jesus. For instance:
In Acts, the author uses "kyrios" in a deliberately ambiguous manner, sometimes referring to God and other times to Jesus[6]. This leads to textual variants where ancient readers attempted to clarify the referent.
Character Motivations
The Bible often leaves character motivations ambiguous, inviting readers to interpret based on context:
The fall of King Saul and King David are presented as mirror images, with similar confessions: "I have sinned!" However, only one king is truly forgiven, leaving readers to discern the difference in their hearts.
The motives behind Judas' betrayal of Jesus are not explicitly stated, allowing for various interpretations.
Multiple Interpretations
Many biblical narratives resist being reduced to a single "moral of the story":
The encounter between David and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 can be interpreted as a lesson about hospitality, healthy conflict resolution, trusting God's promises, or a portrayal of a virtuous woman.
The character of Jacob can be seen as either more virtuous than his uncle Laban or as equally opportunistic.
Narrative Structure
The structure of biblical narratives can create ambiguity:
In Matthew's Gospel, the alternating "Discourse" and "Narrative" blocks invite readers to consider how individual scenes contribute to the dominant themes of each major section.
Syntactic Ambiguity
Sometimes, the Greek syntax itself allows for multiple interpretations:
In Luke 18:11, the phrase "πρὸς ἑαυτὸν" (pros heauton) can be read as either "standing by himself" or "praying to himself," creating ambiguity about the Pharisee's actions.
Conclusion
These examples of narrative ambiguity in the New Testament demonstrate that biblical authors often intentionally left room for interpretation. As Chad Ashby notes, "The Bible is not interested in disinterested readers. The Author wants to suck you in". This ambiguity invites readers to engage deeply with the text, consider multiple perspectives, and apply the narratives to their own lives in various ways.2
1 and https://literarydevices.net/ambiguity/
2 and https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/discourse-analysis-of-the-new-testament-writings/ and and https://exegeticaltools.com/2019/05/06/analyzing-and-translating-new-testament-discourse/ and and https://larryhurtado.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/textual-ambiguity-and-textual-variants-in-acts/
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."