Goddard, Cliff (2018). A semantic menagerie: The conceptual semantics of ethnozoological categories. Russian Journal of Linguistics, 22(3), 539-559. DOI: 10.22363/2312-9182-2018-22-3-539-559. PDF (open access)
This paper proposes and discusses a set of semantic analyses of words from three different levels of the English ethnozoological taxonomic hierarchy: creature (unique beginner), bird, fish, snake, and animal (life-form level), dog and kangaroo (generic level). The analytical framework is the Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach. Though ultimately resting on the foundational elements of the NSM system, i.e. 65 semantic primes and their inherent grammar of combination, the analysis relies on the analytical concepts of semantic molecules and semantic templates. These provide mechanisms for encapsulating semantic complexity and for modelling relations between successive layers of the hierarchy. Other issues considered include the extent to which cultural components feature in the semantics of ethnozoological categories, and the extent to which semantic knowledge may vary across different speech communities.
Research carried out by one or more experienced NSM practitioners
Tagged as: (E) animals, (E) birds, (E) creatures, (E) dogs, (E) eggs, (E) feathers, (E) fish, (E) kangaroos, (E) snakes, (E) wings, (T) English
Wierzbicka, Anna (1985). Lexicography and conceptual analysis. Ann Arbor: Karoma.
Abstract:
This book is about the meaning of words – simple everyday words, such as bottle or jar; trousers or skirt; tree, flower or bird. Stating the meaning of such words is infinitely more difficult and challenging than might be expected. However, the book proves that everyday words are definable; it does so not just by reasoning (which can always turn out to be fallacious) but by way of demonstration ad oculos. The definitions provide evidence towards resolving the much debated issue of dictionaries vs. encyclopedias.
At the same time, the book is an attempt to narrow the gap between lexicography and semantics. The latter has an obligation to provide theoretical foundations for the former. But it will never be able to do so if it doesn’t come down from its speculative heights and engage in the humble task of actually trying to define something. Serious analysis of concrete lexical data requires a well thought-out theoretical framework; but a theoretical framework cannot be well thought-out if it is not grounded on a solid empirical basis. What is needed is a union of the two, lexicography and semantics, and this is the goal to which the present book aspires. Both the definitions and the discussion are free of any technical items, and can be followed by the intelligent layperson.
Research carried out by one or more experienced NSM practitioners
Reviews:
Peeters, Bert (1989). Journal of English Linguistics, 22(2), 249-250.
DOI: 10.1177/007542428902200209
Tagged as: (E) animal, (E) apple, (E) apricot, (E) ask, (E) banana, (E) barrel, (E) bicycle, (E) bird, (E) blue, (E) bottle, (E) bucket, (E) cabbage, (E) car, (E) carafe, (E) cardigan, (E) carrot, (E) cat, (E) cauliflower, (E) cherry, (E) cow, (E) cucumber, (E) cup, (E) devil, (E) dog, (E) dress, (E) elephant, (E) fish, (E) flower, (E) fox, (E) fruit, (E) grape, (E) handle, (E) horse, (E) jacket, (E) jar, (E) jug, (E) jumper, (E) lemon, (E) lettuce, (E) lid, (E) lie, (E) lion, (E) mouse, (E) mug, (E) niebieski, (E) onion, (E) orange, (E) order, (E) peach, (E) pear, (E) pineapple, (E) plum, (E) potato, (E) pumpkin, (E) radish, (E) red, (E) saucer, (E) skirt, (E) spout, (E) squirrel, (E) strawberry, (E) tiger, (E) tomato, (E) tree, (E) trousers, (E) vegetables, (E) wolf
