8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern
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Andrea C. Schalley
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the lexical semantics of the German memory verb (sich)erinnern , which can be roughly translated into English as ‘remember, remind, recall, recollect’. On the basis of qualitative data from the German COSMAS II corpora, readings of (sich) erinnern are carved out and discussed. They are represented using the Unified Eventity Representation (UER), which is a decompositional modelling framework for lexical meaning, and which allows the explicit depiction of relationships that are vital components of the verb’s lexical semantics. We demonstrate that (sich) erinnern is not highly polysemous as its English counterparts might suggest. The results are also a case in point that the question what constitutes and delineates a reading should be investigated more generally.
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the lexical semantics of the German memory verb (sich)erinnern , which can be roughly translated into English as ‘remember, remind, recall, recollect’. On the basis of qualitative data from the German COSMAS II corpora, readings of (sich) erinnern are carved out and discussed. They are represented using the Unified Eventity Representation (UER), which is a decompositional modelling framework for lexical meaning, and which allows the explicit depiction of relationships that are vital components of the verb’s lexical semantics. We demonstrate that (sich) erinnern is not highly polysemous as its English counterparts might suggest. The results are also a case in point that the question what constitutes and delineates a reading should be investigated more generally.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
