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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6.1.1 Lexical Functions Are Not Semantic Units fact: —Chapter 18. Lexical Functions— 78 To avoid misunderstanding, I have to insist—for the umpteenth time—on the following Lexical Functions are by no means semantic entities; they are not precise enough semantic- ally, so that when using them, a linguist should not pursue semantic precision. LFs are Deep Lexical Units, and are treated as such. Their ‘duty’ is simply to point to the family of LUs that in principle may fulfill the same semantic-syntactic role with respect to a given LU L; the actual choice of a specific element within the value f(L) = {L´i} of the LF f is to be made under the control of the semantic description of each of the elements in this value. To put it differently, the elements of the value of a given LF f for a given keyword L need not be fully synonymous: they can even contrast in meaning. The only requirement is that they share the ‘core’ meaning associated with f. Suppose that in the ECD entry of the adjective OPPOSED [to N] we have the following: (13) Magn : adamantly, bitterly, consistently, deeply, resolutely, steadfastly, strongly, vehemently, vigorously This should by no means be construed as implying absolute synonymy of all the elements in this value of Magn. The value Magn(opposed) simply lists the adverbs that could be used to intensify the meaning of (opposed)—perhaps in quite different respects. All these adverbs have their own entries in the ECD; in order to choose what is actually needed in a particular case in the process of lexicalization their definitions should be consulted. To facilitate the work of the user, some semantic distinguishers could be put directly into the value of Magn: adamantly [(unyieldingly)], bitterly [(exhibiting or proceeding from animosity towards Y)], consistently [(continuingly, at all times)], etc. The elements of the value of an LF from a given LU L which are not sufficiently synonymous are separated by semicolon; this indicates that more semantic information is needed in order to make the right choice, and this information is to be obtained from the lexical entries of these elements. There exists a different, but equivalent way of representing the non-synonymy of the elements in the value f(L). Namely, the semantic ‘surplus’ found in the elements of the value f(L) can be represented in terms of non-standard LFs—to form together with f a mixed complex LF f´. Thus, instead of one Magn, we will have in the entry of OPPOSED one Magn and four mixed complex LFs with Magn as their central element:
OPPOSED [to N] unyieldingly + Magn : adamantly exhibiting or proceeding from animosity to Y + Magn : bitterly exhibiting or proceeding from resolution + Magn : resolutely —Chapter 18. Lexical Functions— 79 Magn : deeply; strongly, vigorously < vehemently continuingly + Magn : consistently; steadfastly In the value of Magn, as indicated above, the symbol ‘
Page 1 and 2:
Chapter 18 Lexical Functions: Descr
Page 3 and 4:
—Chapter 18. Lexical Functions—
Page 5 and 6:
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Means noun ((δ) = (means [for L]))
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Here are some examples of LFs. —C
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
2.3 Definition of Standard Lexical
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28: —Chapter 18. Lexical Functions—
Page 43 and 44: Examples —Chapter 18. Lexical Fun
Page 49 and 50: ! ! 38. Loc temp in = localization
Page 51: Remarks —Chapter 18. Lexical Func
Page 61 and 62: NB: CausFin(P) means—by definitio
Page 69: —Chapter 18. Lexical Functions—
Page 82 and 83: 6.1.3 Different Semantic ‘Facets
Page 86 and 87: LF-Sem-Rule 3 (intensely) 1 ! —Ch
Page 100 and 101: Bibliographic Remarks —Chapter 18
Page 104: —Chapter 18. Lexical Functions—
show all

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?