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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Defining an elite class

With knowledge of the fact that the Samurai are defined as the nobility of Japan and a class composed of warriors, how would you treat the statement that "The Samurai are an elite class of warriors"? Is it ambiguous or non-ambiguous? With prior knowledge of the definition of the Samurai in Feudal Japan, the statement could obviously just be the definition of the Samurai, but it could also mean that the Samurai are better than other warriors. How would you interpret it and why?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Hi, I don't see any ambiguity here. The speaker simply states that the Samurai are better warriors than others. A simpler example is eg Tom is an elite runner.

— Clive

  • Hi, I don't see any ambiguity here.
  • The speaker simply states that the Samurai are better warriors than others.
  • A simpler example is eg Tom is an elite runner.
  • Do you see ambiguity here?
  • Am I missing your point somehow?
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3 Answers
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Hi,

I don't see any ambiguity here. The speaker simply states that the Samurai are better warriors than others.

A simpler example is eg Tom is an elite runner.
Do you see ambiguity here?

A
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The problem is that Samurai is defined as a social class in Feudal Japan. The definition refers to them both being nobility/aristocracy class and warriors. One of the prime definitions of elite is that of a group of people belonging to a higher social class (nobility, aristocracy). So claiming that Samurai are an elite class of warriors could both mean an elite class (as a social group) composed o
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I think you are asking if there is any difference:

Samurai are an elite warrior class.
Samurai are an elite class of warriors.

The first is the more common definition, but I don't see any ambiguity.
All Samurai are warriors but not all warriors are Samurai.
There are other warriors who are not elite.
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