Salience phenomena in the lexicon
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Dirk Geeraerts
Abstract
As essentially an analysis of the various types of salience, this essay develops an original notion of structure as constituted by the interplay between the semantic and the pragmatic perspectives. The distinction drawn by the author between semasiology and onomasiology clarifies the difference between an analysis of salience conducted on the basis of words and one conducted on the basis of concepts. Since onomasiological research has largely concerned itself with lexical fields, Geeraerts’s analysis relates closely to Wildgen’s essay in the book; while his discussion of semasiological salience — which involves the polysemy and vagueness pertinent to the problem of prototypicality — links with Violi’s treatment of the same topic. In many respects, in fact, the essays by Geeraerts and Viola represent two complementary approaches to the problem of conceptual universals. The emphasis placed by Geeraerts on the linkage between the naming function in onomasiology and perception relates to several aspects discussed in the essays by Albertazzi (the perception-based foundational approach to semantics), Croft and Wood, Wildgen (Gestalt aspects in imagery) and Peruzzi.
Abstract
As essentially an analysis of the various types of salience, this essay develops an original notion of structure as constituted by the interplay between the semantic and the pragmatic perspectives. The distinction drawn by the author between semasiology and onomasiology clarifies the difference between an analysis of salience conducted on the basis of words and one conducted on the basis of concepts. Since onomasiological research has largely concerned itself with lexical fields, Geeraerts’s analysis relates closely to Wildgen’s essay in the book; while his discussion of semasiological salience — which involves the polysemy and vagueness pertinent to the problem of prototypicality — links with Violi’s treatment of the same topic. In many respects, in fact, the essays by Geeraerts and Viola represent two complementary approaches to the problem of conceptual universals. The emphasis placed by Geeraerts on the linkage between the naming function in onomasiology and perception relates to several aspects discussed in the essays by Albertazzi (the perception-based foundational approach to semantics), Croft and Wood, Wildgen (Gestalt aspects in imagery) and Peruzzi.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Which semantics? 1
- Why a mind is necessary 25
- What is Montague semantics? 39
- Construal operations in linguistics and artificial intelligence 51
- Salience phenomena in the lexicon 79
- Prototypicality, typicality, and context 103
- Directions and perspective points in spatial perception 123
- Force and emotion 145
- The geometric roots of semantics 169
- The history and future of field semantics 203
- Notes 227
- References 235
- Glossary 253
- Name index 259
- Subject index 263
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Which semantics? 1
- Why a mind is necessary 25
- What is Montague semantics? 39
- Construal operations in linguistics and artificial intelligence 51
- Salience phenomena in the lexicon 79
- Prototypicality, typicality, and context 103
- Directions and perspective points in spatial perception 123
- Force and emotion 145
- The geometric roots of semantics 169
- The history and future of field semantics 203
- Notes 227
- References 235
- Glossary 253
- Name index 259
- Subject index 263
