Chapter 18 Lexical Functions: Description of Lexical Relations in a ...

—Chapter 18. Lexical Functions— 35
relation, so that if L´ is a hyperonym of L in L, the translation of L´ will be a hyperonym of the
translation of L in any other language. But the LF Gener models a LEXICAL relation, and it is
required that the elements of its value satisfy a particular textual-syntactic condition: Gener(L)
must be admissible into certain constructions in L; namely, the elements of its value must be able
to appear in at least one of the following two constructions:
1) Gener(L)−ATTR→DER(L) [where DER is any structural derivation, see below, Nos. 7-10].
The meaning of the whole expression must be the same as that of L:
(Gener(L)−ATTR→DER(L)) = (L).
2) L, X1, X2, ..., Xn and other (kinds of) Gener(L).
Semantically, L is not restricted. Syntactically, L can be of any part of speech, but most
commonly, it is a noun. Gener has the part of speech of L. The elements of the Gener(L) value
normally combine with L (or L’s structural derivation) in the text (i.e., they are non-fused), yet it
is a typical paradigmatic LFs: it is used to construct a complex name for an entity or a situation.
Examples
Gener(republic) = state [republican state = republic]
Gener(liquidN) = substance [liquidA substance = liquidN]
Gener(carrots) = vegetables [carrots, spinach, zucchini and other vegetables]
Gener(arrestN) = reprisals [arrests and other (kinds of) reprisals]
Gener(whisperV) = say [say in a whisper = whisperV ]
Gener(yellowA) = color [yellow, green and other colors]
6. Figur [Lat. figuraliter (figuratively)] = standard metaphor
L´ which is Figur(L) is a clichéed, automatic metaphor for L; the elements of the Figur
value appear in the construction Figur(L)−I→L, so that Figur(L) is used in the text together
with L, forming a collocation. The meaning of this collocation is roughly equal to that of L:
(Figur(L)−I→L) ≈ (L).
Semantically, L can be anything; syntactically, L and Figur(L) are both nouns.
Examples
Figur(remorse) = pangs [pangs of remorse ≈ remorse]
Figur(passion) = flame [flame of passion ≈ passion]
Rus. Figur(blokada) = kol´co [kol´co blokady lit. (ring of blockade) ≈ blokada (blockade)]
Rus. Figur(tuman) = pelena [pelena tumana lit. (shroud of fog) ≈ tuman (fog)]