On a Possible Generative Approach to Structurally Ambiguous Humor

This paper outlines a generative approach for creating structurally ambiguous humor. The approach builds upon a lexical set that has been derived through a script associated with a given situation. Each of these lexical entries would also contain one or more specified SAPs (“structural ambiguity potentials”), which serve to match the lexical item to designated formulas for creating structural ambiguity. As part of the approach, an additional phonological and morphological component would serve to generate additional lexical forms with their own SAPs and related formulas. The paper also illustrates how the resulting structural ambiguities can then be systematically integrated into a humorous context.