Generating semantic maps through multidimensional scaling: linguistic applications and theory

This paper reports on the state-of-the-art in application of multidimensional scaling (MDS) techniques to create semantic maps in linguistic research. MDS refers to a statistical technique that represents objects (lexical items, linguistic contexts, languages, etc.) as points in a space so that close similarity between the objects corresponds to close distances between the corresponding points in the representation. We focus on the use of MDS in combination with parallel corpus data as used in research on cross-linguistic variation. We first introduce the mathematical foundations of MDS and then give an exhaustive overview of past research that employs MDS techniques in combination with parallel corpus data. We propose a set of terminology to succinctly describe the key parameters of a particular MDS application. We then show that this computational methodology is theory-neutral, i.e. it can be employed to answer research questions in a variety of linguistic theoretical frameworks. Finally, we show how this leads to two lines of future developments for MDS research in linguistics.

The Semantic Map of Aktionart and Troponymy of Old English Strong Verbs

The aim of this article is to analyse the semantic relations that hold between Old English primitive and derived verbs in terms of troponymy and Aktionsart. The results of this analysis are presented in a semantic map, while emphasis is made on the points of contact between these phenomena. The main conclusion is that semantic maps represent a more flexible and applicable methodology than previous work suggests since they have been used to deal with one language, to explain historical languages and to refer to specific lexical items. Likewise, this analysis shows evidence of an inherent relationship between both phenomena: troponymy and Aktionsart.

The Polysemy and Hyponymy of Mandarin Spatial Prepositions and Localisers: Building Semantic Maps from the Ground up

The goal of this paper is to offer an overview of polysemy patterns in Mandarin’s chief spatial categories: prepositions (e.g., zai) and simple and compound localisers (respectively, qian and qian-mian). The paper presents data from an elicitation study that shows how speakers can access multiple senses and hyponymy relations for the vocabulary items belonging to these categories. The paper shows that while prepositions can potentially cover different spatial relations in the opportune context (e.g., zai “at”), localisers select increasingly specific senses (e.g., qian “front” and qian-mian “front side”). The paper also shows how speakers can access hyponym-like sense relations emerging from these patterns (e.g., qian-bian covering a more specific sense than qian). Semantic dimensions such as “distance” and “location type” determine the strength of these hyponymy relations. The paper offers an account of these data based on the “semantics maps” model, which captures polysemy and hyponymy patterns via the clusters of locations they refer to. It is shown that this novel model is consistent with previous works on the polysemy of spatial categories and sheds light on how Mandarin offers a unique organisation of this domain.

Universal and macro-areal patterns in the lexicon

This paper investigates universal and areal structures in the lexicon as manifested by colexification patterns in the semantic domains of perception and cognition, based on data from both small and large datasets. Using several methods, including weighted semantic maps, formal concept lattices, correlation analysis, and dimensionality reduction, we identify colexification patterns in the domains in question and evaluate the extent to which these patterns are specific to particular areas. This paper contributes to the methodology of investigating areal patterns in the lexicon, and identifies a number of cross-linguistic regularities and of area-specific properties in the structuring of lexicons.

The Effect of a Task-Based, Curriculum-Enrichment Program for Vocabulary Learning Strategies on Saudi University Students

The current study set to investigate the effect of introducing particular vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) to Saudi, female students. The strategies implemented were six: 'grouping words together to study them' (GW); 'putting English labels on physical objects' (LO); 'using scales for gradable words'(SC); 'using semantic maps'(SM); 'using the keyword method' (KW) and 'studying words with a pictorial representation of their meaning' (PR). The participants were a group of 90 level-one students studying in the Department of English Language and Translation at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh. They were assigned to two groups: control (N= 44) and experimental (N=46); only the experimental group received instructions on those strategies in a form of task-based, curriculum-enrichment materials. To assess the effectiveness of such a VLS instruction (VLSI) program, three areas were examined: the students' vocabulary learning (VL), the frequency of strategy-use, and their VLS repertoire. The data of the study were derived from three instruments: pre-post vocabulary achievement test (VAT), pre-post questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the data revealed the effectiveness of the VSBI program in the areas identified above. First, it improved the students' vocabulary achievement as well as their VL, in general. Second, it increased the frequency of using general categories of VLSs (i.e. VLSs altogether, consolidation strategies, metacognitive strategies). It also increased the frequency of using five of the taught strategies which were GW, LO, SC, KW, and PR. Third, the VSBI program proved to be positive in that it changed and improved the students' VLS repertoire.

Lexical diachronic semantic maps

This paper extends the scope of application of the semantic map model to diachronic lexical semantics. Combining a quantitative approach to large-scale synchronic polysemy data with a qualitative evaluation of the diachronic material in two text languages, ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek, it shows that weighted diachronic semantic maps can capture informative generalizations about the organization of the lexicon and its reshaping over time. The general methodology developed in the paper is illustrated with a case study of the semantic extension of time-related lexemes. This case study shows that the blend of tools well established in linguistic typology with proven methods of historical linguistics enables a principled approach to long-standing questions in the fields of diachronic semasiology and onomasiology.

The Method of Static Semantic Map Construction Based on Instance Segmentation and Dynamic Point Elimination

Semantic information usually contains a description of the environment content, which enables mobile robot to understand the environment and improves its ability to interact with the environment. In high-level human–computer interaction application, the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) system not only needs higher accuracy and robustness, but also has the ability to construct a static semantic map of the environment. However, traditional visual SLAM lacks semantic information. Furthermore, in an actual scene, dynamic objects will reduce the system performance and also generate redundancy when constructing map. these all directly affect the robot’s ability to perceive and understand the surrounding environment. Based on ORB-SLAM3, this article proposes a new Algorithm that uses semantic information and the global dense optical flow as constraints to generate dynamic-static mask and eliminate dynamic objects. then, to further construct a static 3D semantic map under indoor dynamic environments, a fusion of 2D semantic information and 3D point cloud is carried out. the experimental results on different types of dataset sequences show that, compared with original ORB-SLAM3, both Absolute Pose Error (APE) and Relative Pose Error (RPE) have been ameliorated to varying degrees, especially on freiburg3-walking-xyz, the APE reduced by 97.78% from the original average value of 0.523, and RPE reduced by 52.33% from the original average value of 0.0193. Compared with DS-SLAM and DynaSLAM, our system improves real-time performance while ensuring accuracy and robustness. Meanwhile, the expected map with environmental semantic information is built, and the map redundancy caused by dynamic objects is successfully reduced. the test results in real scenes further demonstrate the effect of constructing static semantic maps and prove the effectiveness of our Algorithm.

How a West African language becomes North African, and vice versa

Updating the methodology of Hayward, Richard J. 1991. A propos patterns of lexicalization in the Ethiopian language area. In Daniela Mendel & Ulrike Claudi (eds.), Ägypten im afroorientalischen Kontext. Special issue of Afrikanistische Arbeitspapiere, 139–156. Cologne: Institute of African Studies, using the concept of colexification (François, Alexandre. 2008. Semantic maps and the typology of colexification: Intertwining polysemous networks across languages. In Martine Vanhove (ed.), Studies in language companion series, vol. 106, 163–215. Amsterdam: John Benjamins), this paper, for the first time, provides quantitative evidence that the languages of the West African Sahel/Savanna form a lexical-typological language area characterised by shared colexifications absent further north. It then uses the linguistic comparative method to determine how languages entering or leaving this area, or coming into increasing contact with it at its edges, have converged with their new neighbours within the past millennium. The results indicate sharp differences in the respective roles and rates of borrowing and calquing, with the latter acting almost exclusively to increase shared colexifications.

High School Failure, a Systematic Review in the Social Sciences

Introduction. This study aims to examine the issue of high school failure in social sciences through a systematic review. It aims to provide a critical assessment of research on this subject. It seeks to question the very construct of high school failure, its premises, and the possible consequences from this perspective. Materials and Methods. The research published between 2010–2020, both in Spanish and English in the Scopus and Web of Science databases (Core collection), was considered. A total of 171 articles were identified. After initial screening, 37 papers were finally selected. Semantic maps were created with the Vosviewer. The literature was examined to determine where high school failure is being researched, what type of methodologies are most used and, finally, what impact the research has had on our understanding of this concept. Results. It was found that most of the research on the topic is done in the field of education, and that the methodology used is predominantly quantitative. The different definitions of high school failure tended to attribute its cause to one or more of four reasons: student failure, multicausal phenomena, social exclusion, and finally, disability in the education system. Discussion and Conclusion. It is possible to understand that high school failure is understood and defined as mostly involving studentsʼ responsibility for the academic outcome and achievement obtained. Although studies that cover such factors as a multicausal nature, social exclusion, and the education systemʼs difficulty can be found, the responsibility for failure tends to be attributed to the individual student.