Confidence Indexing of Automated Detected Synsets: A Case Study on Contemporary Turkish Dictionary

In this study, a novel confidence indexing algorithm is proposed to minimize human labor in controlling the reliability of automatically extracted synsets from a non-machine-readable monolingual dictionary. Contemporary Turkish Dictionary of Turkish Language Association is used as the monolingual dictionary data. First, the synonym relations are extracted by traditional text processing methods from dictionary definitions and a graph is prepared in Lemma-Sense network architecture. After each synonym relation is labeled by a proper confidence index, synonym pairs with desired confidence indexes are analyzed to detect synsets with a spanning tree-based method. This approach can label synsets with one of three cumulative confidence levels (CL-1, CL-2, and CL-3). According to the confidence levels, synsets are compared with KeNet which is the only open access Turkish Wordnet. Consequently, while most matches with the synsets of KeNet is determined in CL-1 and CL-2 confidence levels, the synsets determined at CL-3 level reveal errors in the dictionary definitions. This novel approach does not find only the reliability of automatically detected synsets, but it can also point out errors of detected synsets from the dictionary.

Verbalization of the Concept of “Kysh” (Winter) in the Karachay-Balkar Language Picture of the World

This article discusses the concept of kysh (winter), which is one of the main elements of the concept sphere of the Karachay-Balkar language picture of the world. The national and cultural specificity of the concept under study is revealed on the basis of various works of art, phraseological units, proverbs and sayings, as well as dictionary definitions. The paper presents the semantics of the lexical units that make up this concept, reveals its conceptual features based on various associations of native speakers, analyzes the linguistic representation and cognitive characteristics of this concept in the Karachay-Balkar language picture of the world, and therefore considers paremiological units that represent the ethno-cultural specifics of the Karachay-Balkar language, features of the ethnic worldview and world perception. The main distinguishing features of winter, attributes, and accompanying factors are considered.

MANIPULATIVE SPEECH: A THEORETICAL OVERVIEW

Manipulation is one of the concepts that needs a more in-depth theoretical and practical examination. It is employed in many areas of life, including personal and social matters, intellectual and professional pursuits, and, of course, politics. This paper is an approach, the purpose of which is to study the concept of manipulation as a psychological and linguistic phenomenon where the central emphasis is on the manipulative techniques and tactics that are utilized for various reasons such as illegitimate domination and social abuse. At this level of investigation we find it essential to illustrate different approaches to the study of this phenomenon as well as certain dictionary definitions to be able to fully perceive and comprehend the properties of manipulation.

Folk Definitions as a Model for Sign Language Dictionary Definitions: A User-Focused Study of the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language

<p>This thesis addresses the question whether signed definitions, made possible by advances in electronic lexicography, should be introduced to sign language dictionaries. The thesis comprises four interrelated studies investigating different aspects of this question through a user-focused case study of the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language (ODNZSL). A preliminary study investigated current use of the ODNZSL in order to identify what user needs signed definitions might fulfil. The study drew on two data sets: website log data for the ODNZSL, and a think-aloud protocol and interview with representatives of user groups. Results showed that in addition to a large volume of casual browsers, the most frequent and intensive users of the dictionary are beginner and intermediate students of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). These (hearing) language learners mostly search for frequent vocabulary with the aims of language production and vocabulary learning. Findings also identified reasons for unsuccessful dictionary consultations that may impact on the effectiveness of definitions. In the second study, a review of ODNZSL entries highlighted categories of lexical items for which the current description through English glosses, examples, and usage notes is inadequate. A test was developed to assess whether these categories of signs were problematic for the user group identified in the first study: hearing intermediate learners of NZSL. Twenty-one participants took a computer-based error correction test with both comprehension and production sections comprising fifty items in six different categories: culture-bound; idiomatic; polysemous; metaphoric/metonymic; vocabulary type / word class; and other. Quantitative results indicated that a small number of test items were problematic, but that none of the test categories were good predictors of the difficulties learners experienced. A qualitative examination identified linguistic factors and issues with the current dictionary information that may be improved by the addition of signed definitions. The central proposition tested in the third study was that folk definitions—informal explanations of sign meaning by Deaf sign language users—can be applied as a template for dictionary definitions. This study took fifteen of the signs that were identified as problematic for learners in the previous study, and asked thirteen Deaf NZSL users to explain the meaning of these signs. A qualitative analysis found that the folk definitions by different NZSL users shared common semantic categories and embedded information about situational and sociolinguistic variation as well as grammatical structures. Some semantic relationships that occur frequently in spoken language folk definitions, such as exemplification and synonymy, were also common in signed folk definitions. Other semantic relationships such as attribution, function, operation, and spatial relationships occurred less frequently because they were inherent in the sign construction. Due to the bilingual status of the participants, many folk definitions included reference to English words in the form of mouth patterns and fingerspelling. In the fourth study, twelve pilot dictionary definitions were created on the basis of common features found in the folk definitions and an evaluation of definition formats by Deaf NZSL users. The error correction test from the second study was repeated with a new cohort of intermediate NZSL learners. This time twelve test items were accompanied by a pilot definition; for the remaining items participants were shown a video example sentence from the ODNZSL entry. Results showed no significant improvements in scores for the test items with definitions. However, feedback from test participants showed that the definitions were comprehensible and perceived as valuable for language learning. The overall conclusion of these studies is that a selective approach should be taken to introducing signed definitions in existing multifunctional sign language dictionaries. For hearing learners of sign language, signed definitions do not meet immediate communicative (comprehension and production) needs, but they may contribute to wider vocabulary learning goals. The main contribution of this thesis is that it suggests a user-focused methodology for creating signed definitions, driven by evidence from the first empirical user study of an online sign language dictionary and therefore taking into account the particular challenges of sign language lexicography. Furthermore, the analysis of features of signed folk definitions contributes to the semantic description of sign languages.</p>

Folk Definitions as a Model for Sign Language Dictionary Definitions: A User-Focused Study of the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language

<p>This thesis addresses the question whether signed definitions, made possible by advances in electronic lexicography, should be introduced to sign language dictionaries. The thesis comprises four interrelated studies investigating different aspects of this question through a user-focused case study of the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language (ODNZSL). A preliminary study investigated current use of the ODNZSL in order to identify what user needs signed definitions might fulfil. The study drew on two data sets: website log data for the ODNZSL, and a think-aloud protocol and interview with representatives of user groups. Results showed that in addition to a large volume of casual browsers, the most frequent and intensive users of the dictionary are beginner and intermediate students of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). These (hearing) language learners mostly search for frequent vocabulary with the aims of language production and vocabulary learning. Findings also identified reasons for unsuccessful dictionary consultations that may impact on the effectiveness of definitions. In the second study, a review of ODNZSL entries highlighted categories of lexical items for which the current description through English glosses, examples, and usage notes is inadequate. A test was developed to assess whether these categories of signs were problematic for the user group identified in the first study: hearing intermediate learners of NZSL. Twenty-one participants took a computer-based error correction test with both comprehension and production sections comprising fifty items in six different categories: culture-bound; idiomatic; polysemous; metaphoric/metonymic; vocabulary type / word class; and other. Quantitative results indicated that a small number of test items were problematic, but that none of the test categories were good predictors of the difficulties learners experienced. A qualitative examination identified linguistic factors and issues with the current dictionary information that may be improved by the addition of signed definitions. The central proposition tested in the third study was that folk definitions—informal explanations of sign meaning by Deaf sign language users—can be applied as a template for dictionary definitions. This study took fifteen of the signs that were identified as problematic for learners in the previous study, and asked thirteen Deaf NZSL users to explain the meaning of these signs. A qualitative analysis found that the folk definitions by different NZSL users shared common semantic categories and embedded information about situational and sociolinguistic variation as well as grammatical structures. Some semantic relationships that occur frequently in spoken language folk definitions, such as exemplification and synonymy, were also common in signed folk definitions. Other semantic relationships such as attribution, function, operation, and spatial relationships occurred less frequently because they were inherent in the sign construction. Due to the bilingual status of the participants, many folk definitions included reference to English words in the form of mouth patterns and fingerspelling. In the fourth study, twelve pilot dictionary definitions were created on the basis of common features found in the folk definitions and an evaluation of definition formats by Deaf NZSL users. The error correction test from the second study was repeated with a new cohort of intermediate NZSL learners. This time twelve test items were accompanied by a pilot definition; for the remaining items participants were shown a video example sentence from the ODNZSL entry. Results showed no significant improvements in scores for the test items with definitions. However, feedback from test participants showed that the definitions were comprehensible and perceived as valuable for language learning. The overall conclusion of these studies is that a selective approach should be taken to introducing signed definitions in existing multifunctional sign language dictionaries. For hearing learners of sign language, signed definitions do not meet immediate communicative (comprehension and production) needs, but they may contribute to wider vocabulary learning goals. The main contribution of this thesis is that it suggests a user-focused methodology for creating signed definitions, driven by evidence from the first empirical user study of an online sign language dictionary and therefore taking into account the particular challenges of sign language lexicography. Furthermore, the analysis of features of signed folk definitions contributes to the semantic description of sign languages.</p>

Problems of definitions and translation of English complex subject adjectives into Russian

Рассматриваются структурно-семантические группы многокомпонентных предметных прилагательных, представленные в классической английской художественной прозе как наиболее яркие стилистические приемы словотворчества и авторских новообразований. Посредством сравнительно-сопоставительного и лексико-семантического методов исследуется лингвистический материал на основе известных произведений англоязычных писателей, а также лексикографические источники двуязычных словарей. Метод компонентного анализа группы авторских адъективных новообразований позволяет прийти к заключению о высокой продуктивности образования сложных предметных прилагательных. Аналитический обзор выявил структурно-семантические характеристики класса прилагательных, которые напрямую связаны с их семантикой. Таким образом, установлено, что изучение и сопоставление словарных дефиниций помогает переводу сложных определений цвета в разных культурах. The paper deals with structural and semantic groups of multicomponent subject adjectives, presented in classical English art prose as the most striking stylistic techniques of word-making and authors’ neologisms. Through comparative and lexical-semantic methods, we study linguistic material based on the famous works of English-language writers, as well as lexicographic sources of bilingual dictionaries. The method of component analysis of the group of authors’ adjective neologisms allows us to conclude that the formation of complex subject adjectives is highly productive. An analytical review revealed structural-semantic characteristics of the adjective class that are directly related to their semantics. Thus, it has been found that studying and comparison of dictionary definitions helps translate complex color definitions in different cultures.

1. Introduction

‘Introduction’ defines blasphemy and assesses what makes a blasphemy. Blasphemy is never purely about content; it needs a social and legal context, and tends to favour the values of the majority. Dictionary definitions of blasphemy as ‘speaking sacrilegiously’ about ‘God or sacred things’ suggest that blasphemy is somehow a purely religious crime. But this seems inaccurate, as many prosecuted crucifixions have targeted politics, nationalism, and the fusion of church and state. By definition, blasphemy seems to be in the eyes and ears of the receiver. But if some seeming ‘blasphemies’ are celebrated and commissioned by religious communities, then trying to guess what might hurt religious communities might be tricky.

Lexical polysemy and homonymy in the Middle High German language in light of the problematic of lexical synonymy and lexical-semantic analysis

Based on the compositions of pre-courteous epic poetry and chivalric romance written in the Middle High German language, this article reviews the problem of lexical polysemy in relation to the phenomena of homonymy and synonymy, as well as the problem of structural description of lexis. The need for comprehensive examination of polysemous lexemes in the Middle High German language, which includes structural analysis of the meaning of polysemous word and the lexical-thematic group and/or synonymic row it belongs to, well as the study of contextual implementation of the meanings of polysemous word, is substantiated by the principle of diffusivity of meanings of polysemous word that complicates comprising dictionary definitions and creates difficulties for the researcher in distinguishing the meanings of a polysemous word and separating polysemy from homonymy. Based on the example of lexical-thematic group for denomination of edged weapon in the Middle High German Language, the author demonstrates the appropriateness of using lexical-semantic analysis for establishing systemic relations between the analyzed lexemes, as well as postulates the importance of the context in determination of the structure of polysemous word. Discussion of the given examples from the compositions of pre-courteous epic poetry and chivalric romance written in the Middle High German language is accompanied by the author&rsquo;s clarifications to the dictionary definitions of the lexemes under review. The conclusion is made on feasibility of the authorial approach towards detection of the discrepancies between lexicographic data and use of the lexeme in the texts written in the Middle High German language. The author also believes that this research is valuable from the perspective of lexicographic practice.

The Perception of Neighbour in CMLL Publicistics

This article deals with the content of neighbour on the basis of the forms of the noun ‘neighbour’ (Lith. kaimynas). Efforts are made to strike a balance between the structural and the cognitive approach to its meaning. The sample base for the study consists of 700 published sentences sourced in the Corpus of the Modern Lithuanian Language (CMLL) compiled by the Centre for Computational Linguistics at the Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas.The study has revealed a neighbour to be someone who experiences a certain mental state, someone who, in his or her (un)favourable response to the environment, affects another person in a relatively close space. Emotionally charged, this effect shows a neighbour who is a nice or a bad person to live next-doors with. The (dis)harmony of attitudes, values, and actions grounded on an (un)favourable mind-set defines a dynamic coexistenceof neighbours, or a failure to coexist.When it comes to the perception of neighbour that shifts in time, what matters is the shared space of the neighbours that has its relative boundaries and is measured as a distance – the closeness resulting in the distinction between a close > distant neighbour; yet even more important is the camaraderie – the proximity of attitudes, values, and the actions that they define – something that the dictionary definitions of the word neighbour tend to omit – and the related gradational differences between a homey > strange neighbour. When it comes to building and maintaining proximity, it is the neighbour’s temper, polite and supportive interaction, and behaviour that favours another person, such as sharing things with them and all kinds of assistance, especially in need, that matters. As the mind-sets, values, and behaviours assimilate, the neighbours become one – they become homey to each other. And the axis of oneness grounded on favour in neighbourhood is God.

Gavin Douglas

This chapter examines Gavin Douglas’s humanism. To ask whether Douglas was a true humanist is to try to fix the fluidities of a transitional period. And, besides, ‘humanist’ covers as many subtexts as its dictionary definitions betray. Assume a fourteenth- to sixteenth-century scholar of Latin and Greek literature, and Douglas qualifies—although classical studies then were not as now. But, take humanism as a movement away from religious to secular concerns, and Douglas’s humanism is more doubtful. The chapter then looks at mimesis and the rhetoric of ekphrasis in Douglas’s Eneados. The term ekphrasis is commonly defined as ‘description, particularly description of works of art’. But the term is much richer; the verb ekfrazdo means ‘tell, recount, express ornately’. Ultimately, Douglas’s greatest original achievement must be his invention of landscape poetry in English. In addition, Douglas’s Prologues not only use calendar art as a model but have themselves the structure of a calendar.