I saw a little boy.

[hanky]

What does "I saw a little boy" mean?
Does it mean "I saw a boy for a short period of time" or "I saw "a little boy""?

Thanks.

[Raymott]

What does "I saw a little boy" mean?
Does it mean "I saw a boy for a short period of time" or "I saw "a little boy""?

Thanks.

It means that there was a little (small) boy, and you saw him.
Only if that doesn't make sense would you consider other possibilities, as in:
"I saw a little action" - I was involved in some sort of action in a small way.
"I saw a little flesh" - You had been to a strip club.
In the above two sentences "a little" means "some".

[hanky]

It means that there was a little (small) boy, and you saw him.
Only if that doesn't make sense would you consider other possibilities, as in:
"I saw a little action" - I was involved in some sort of action in a small way.
"I saw a little flesh" - You had been to a strip club.
In the above two sentences "a little" means "some".

What would you say if I ask the same questions for "I watched a little TV"?

[Anglika]

What would you say if I ask the same questions for "I watched a little TV"?

As Ray indicated, in this context "little"= "some". If it was the set that was little, you would be more likely to say "I watched the programme on a little TV".