TED-ED: Buffalo buffalo buffalo: One-word sentences and how they work - Emma Bryce

The video explores lexical ambiguity, where words can have multiple meanings, leading to complex sentences. Examples include the 'Buffalo' sentence, which uses 'buffalo' as a noun, verb, and proper noun, and the 'ship-shipping' sentence, which plays on the word 'ship' as both a noun and verb. The 'Can-can' sentence further illustrates how words can take on different roles. These examples highlight how language can be confusing due to lexical ambiguities.

What is lexical ambiguity?

• The use of foreign words in English

• The ability of words to have multiple meanings

• A type of wordplay involving rhymes

• A grammatical error in sentence structure

In the 'Buffalo' sentence, what roles does the word 'buffalo' play?

• An adjective and a conjunction

• A verb and an adjective

• A noun and an adverb

• A proper noun, a noun, and a verb

How does the 'Buffalo' sentence become grammatically correct?

• By adding punctuation and implied phrases

• By using synonyms for 'buffalo'

• By rearranging the words

• By translating it into another language

What does the 'ship-shipping ship' sentence illustrate?

• The history of shipping industry

• The use of homophones in English

• The complexity of maritime vocabulary

• The multiple meanings of the word 'ship'

In the 'Can-can' sentence, what does the word 'can' represent?

• A type of container

• A dance, ability, and outperforming

• A type of food

• A musical instrument