Use of the words

A aquarj Tiki Socialite SF bay area, CA Joined: Apr 02, 2002 Posts: 1125	A aquarj Posted posted on Fri, Jun 18, 2004 12:37 PM I think the problem has to do with resolving the ambiguity caused by words omitted in casual conversation. "This Friday" just means "This [week's] Friday". but "Next Friday" can mean "Next [occurring] Friday" or "Next [week's] Friday". So when the reference is omitted, the ambiguity can't be resolved since both options are equally correct grammatically, leaving the listener to just guess what the speaker means. As Vern pointed out, there are other rules besides just grammar that can help tip off the listener. People don't tend to talk in a Spock-like logical manner, so on a Thu it would be odd for a speaker to mean "next occurring Friday", instead of just saying tomorrow. But like all issues with natural language understanding, there are loads of counterexamples and other nuances. One of the beauties of being human! -Randy

I think the problem has to do with resolving the ambiguity caused by words omitted in casual conversation.

"This Friday" just means "This [week's] Friday".

but

"Next Friday" can mean "Next [occurring] Friday" or "Next [week's] Friday". So when the reference is omitted, the ambiguity can't be resolved since both options are equally correct grammatically, leaving the listener to just guess what the speaker means.

As Vern pointed out, there are other rules besides just grammar that can help tip off the listener. People don't tend to talk in a Spock-like logical manner, so on a Thu it would be odd for a speaker to mean "next occurring Friday", instead of just saying tomorrow.

But like all issues with natural language understanding, there are loads of counterexamples and other nuances. One of the beauties of being human!

-Randy

Post #97113 by aquarj on Fri, Jun 18, 2004 12:37 PM