involving the use of linguistic theory to disambiguate sentences

应用语言学理论来消除在宪法
both in the Constitution, in legislation, as well as in some criminal cases.

法律以及某些刑事案件中句子的歧义
And there was, several years ago, a very serious criminal case

多年前的一桩刑事重案
that rested on a sentence.

就是依据一句话来定案
And here's what happened.

事情是这样的
There were two brothers, one of them retarded,

两兄弟其中一个智力发育迟缓
and they get into a robbery.

他们想抢劫
And a police officer sees them and points the gun at them.

一名警官发现了他们并用枪指着他们
And one of the brothers points a gun at the police officer.

兄弟中的一个用枪指着警察
The police officer shouts for the brother,

警官要求智力正常的兄弟
the non-retarded brother, to drop the gun.

把枪放下
Actually, he said, "Give me the gun."

实际上他说的是"把枪给我"