[Lexicog] Lexical polysemy

[Peter Kirk]

On 16/04/2004 10:24, Amsler, Robert wrote:

>
> From the perspective of a computational lexicologist what I'd like to
> see is subsenses conveyed within a decision tree structure, with a
> series of tests at each branch point to determine when a sense
> qualifies for each major and minor specialization. Tests can be
> described in terms of constaints on the arguments the verb takes or in
> terms of usage characteristics such as the constructions in which the
> verb appears, but the need here is to form a higher level of testing
> for each sense distinction than just giving examples.
>
...

This reminds me of the approach we are taking in the Key Terms in
Biblical Hebrew project, although it is not identical. In this project
we are categorising senses at two levels, "meaning" and "contextual
use", based on cognitive linguistic theory. For each term we are
building up a table of Comparison of Meanings and Uses, which is
intended to list only what is most distinctive about each meaning or
use. Here is my latest draft of this part of the entry for kohen = priest:

Comparison of Meanings and Uses:
1 Frame: Priesthood; Core domains: Sacrifice; Service of God; Hereditary
role
    1a Domains: Tabernacle; Temple; Instruction; Agent: any descendant
of Aaron
    1b Domains: Tabernacle; Temple; High Priest; Agent: Aaron or most
senior descendant
    1c Domains: Tabernacle; Temple; Instruction; Agent: Aaron or
descendant, named
    1d Domains: Tabernacle; Temple; High Priest; Agent: Aaron or most
senior descendant, named
    1e Domains: Local shrines; Northern kingdom of Israel
    1f Domain: Non-Israelite people
    1g Domain: Prophetic promise
2 Frame: Priesthood; Core domains: Sacrifice; Worship of pagan gods
    2a Domain: Israelites; Recipient: Baal
    2b Domain: Non-Israelite people
3 Metaphorical extension of Meaning 1; Frame: Special relationship
    3a Domains: Prophetic promise; Israelites
    3b Domains: Prophetic promise; Non-Israelite people

Other words, especially verbs, would have as distinctive features of
meanings and uses which arguments they take.

--
Peter Kirk
peter at qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk at qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/



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