Consider the following:
Mr. Zapatero is driving his Ferrari on route to his English PET class in Puerto de la Cruz. He is approaching a T junction and says to his wife:
– “Do I turn left?
– She responds: “Right”. He then turns left.
– She then says to him: “What are you doing?
– I told you to turn right”.
Which way should he have turned? Who knows (quien sabe). “Right” can mean “correct” and in a “right-hand direction”.
Ambiguities abound (las ambiqüedades abundan) if we are not precise or exact. The solution? Choose your words carefully, or think before you speak (piensalo bien antes de hablar).
Take care not to befuddle (atontar) your readers or listeners.
