What is the role of statutory interpretation canons when language is ambiguous?

• A. Canons replace the text.
• B. Canons are ceremonial.
• C. Canons help interpret ambiguous language but do not override clear text.
• D. Canons apply only to criminal statutes.

Answer: (C)

When language in a statute is not clear, canons of interpretation act as practical tools to guide sense-making. They provide rules of construction that help you read the text in its context, considering factors like the statute’s purpose, how words relate to neighboring provisions, and the ordinary meaning of terms. This helps resolve situations where a statute could reasonably be read in more than one way. Importantly, these canons are subordinate to the actual text: if the wording is plain and unambiguous, that text governs. Canons don’t override clear language; they assist only when ambiguity exists. They apply broadly across statutes, not just in criminal cases, and they’re not ceremonial—they’re concrete aids for determining legislative meaning.