A Role-Lexical Module (RLM) for Biblical Hebrew
-
Nicolai Winther-Nielsen
Abstract
The Role-Lexical Module (RLM) is a new Web application designed to map lexical meaning from syntax to semantics and to parse a Hebrew text. This tool enables the linguist to decompose meaning according to the notion of semantics in Role and Reference Grammar. Work by programmers Chris Wilson and Ulrik Petersen allows us to exploit WordNet for definition of glosses. On this basis the linguist can classify verbs into Aktionsart classes, represent the meaning of clauses following a selection of Logical Structure, and gradually build an RRG lexicon for Biblical Hebrew. The potential and procedures are illustrated in analyses of the verbs of killing, creation and seeing in Biblical Hebrew. This tool helps us map from syntax to semantics in a closed corpus in the database of the Werkgroep Informatica of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
Abstract
The Role-Lexical Module (RLM) is a new Web application designed to map lexical meaning from syntax to semantics and to parse a Hebrew text. This tool enables the linguist to decompose meaning according to the notion of semantics in Role and Reference Grammar. Work by programmers Chris Wilson and Ulrik Petersen allows us to exploit WordNet for definition of glosses. On this basis the linguist can classify verbs into Aktionsart classes, represent the meaning of clauses following a selection of Logical Structure, and gradually build an RRG lexicon for Biblical Hebrew. The potential and procedures are illustrated in analyses of the verbs of killing, creation and seeing in Biblical Hebrew. This tool helps us map from syntax to semantics in a closed corpus in the database of the Werkgroep Informatica of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
-
Part I. Introduction by the Editor
- Editor's introduction xv
-
Part II. Verbs, argument structure and transitivity
- "Saying" verbs in Spanish 3
- Split intransitivity in Japanese revisited 23
- Reintroducing inverse constructions in Japanese 37
- Transitivity in Kabardian 59
- Ditransitive constructions: Towards a new Role and Reference Grammar account? 75
- Fluid transitivity and generalized semantic roles 101
-
Part III. Syntactic and morphological categories
- Unification and separation in a functional theory of morphology 119
- Modality in RRG 147
- RPs and the nature of lexical and syntactic categories in Role and Reference Grammar 161
- “Floating plurals”, prodrop and agreement – an optimality-based RRG approach 179
- Where is the precore slot? Mapping the layered structure of the clause and German sentence topology 203
-
Part IV. Syntax, pragmatics and prosody
- A prosodic projection for Role and Reference Grammar 227
- Is Role and Reference Grammar an adequate grammatical theory for punctuation? 245
- The interplay of focus structure and syntax 263
- How missing is the missing verb? 285
- Predication and reference in specificational sentences – functions of English noun phrases 305
-
Part V. The analysis of complex sentences
- Alternative expressions of 'want' complements 321
- An RRG approach to French complementation patterns 337
- Complementizer-gap phenomena 359
- Wari’ Intentional State Constructions 381
-
Part VI. Neurolinguistic and computational aspects of RRG
- Unmarked transitivity 413
- Parsing for Role and Reference Grammar 435
- A Role-Lexical Module (RLM) for Biblical Hebrew 455
- Index of languages 479
- Index of subjects 481
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
-
Part I. Introduction by the Editor
- Editor's introduction xv
-
Part II. Verbs, argument structure and transitivity
- "Saying" verbs in Spanish 3
- Split intransitivity in Japanese revisited 23
- Reintroducing inverse constructions in Japanese 37
- Transitivity in Kabardian 59
- Ditransitive constructions: Towards a new Role and Reference Grammar account? 75
- Fluid transitivity and generalized semantic roles 101
-
Part III. Syntactic and morphological categories
- Unification and separation in a functional theory of morphology 119
- Modality in RRG 147
- RPs and the nature of lexical and syntactic categories in Role and Reference Grammar 161
- “Floating plurals”, prodrop and agreement – an optimality-based RRG approach 179
- Where is the precore slot? Mapping the layered structure of the clause and German sentence topology 203
-
Part IV. Syntax, pragmatics and prosody
- A prosodic projection for Role and Reference Grammar 227
- Is Role and Reference Grammar an adequate grammatical theory for punctuation? 245
- The interplay of focus structure and syntax 263
- How missing is the missing verb? 285
- Predication and reference in specificational sentences – functions of English noun phrases 305
-
Part V. The analysis of complex sentences
- Alternative expressions of 'want' complements 321
- An RRG approach to French complementation patterns 337
- Complementizer-gap phenomena 359
- Wari’ Intentional State Constructions 381
-
Part VI. Neurolinguistic and computational aspects of RRG
- Unmarked transitivity 413
- Parsing for Role and Reference Grammar 435
- A Role-Lexical Module (RLM) for Biblical Hebrew 455
- Index of languages 479
- Index of subjects 481