Abstract

This study explored the ambiguity of newspaper headlines in English online newspapers in Vietnam and India. The research analyzed four prominent English online newspapers from both countries in 2023. The study employed purposive sampling to collect 148 ambiguous headlines from four leading English online newspapers in Vietnam and India and conducted a qualitative content analysis using a three‑category (lexical, syntactic, semantic) coding scheme with two independent coders. Ambiguous headlines indicated a significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of the three types of ambiguity, including lexical, syntactic, and semantic ambiguity. The findings revealed a significant prevalence of semantic ambiguity, while lexical ambiguity was the least frequent. This disparity underscores readers’ challenges in interpreting headlines, especially in a cross-cultural context where linguistic nuances and cultural references can vary significantly. Specifically, Vietnam’s centralized regulatory framework and high‑context communication norms encourage cautious, multifunctional wording aligned with state narratives, whereas India’s diverse linguistic communities and commercially driven media landscape incentivize ambiguous framing to appeal broadly and stand out in a competitive market. The research proposed targeted strategies to improve the public’s awareness process and ensure more effective dissemination of information in the media landscape of Vietnam and India. Consequently, understanding these nuances is crucial for journalists, editors, and media practitioners who aim to communicate effectively across diverse linguistic backgrounds. By emphasizing both semantic and lexical components, the study offered actionable insights for media outlets seeking to refine headline-writing practices and minimize misleading interpretations.