
Cognitive Modeling and Verbal Semantics
A Representational Framework Based on UML
- 463 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This book presents a unique approach to the semantics of verbs. It develops and specifies a decompositional representation framework for verbal semantics that is based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML), the graphical lingua franca for the design and modeling of object-oriented systems in computer science. The new framework combines formal precision with conceptual flexibility and allows the representation of very complicated details of verbal meaning, using a mixture of graphical elements as well as linearized constructs. Thereby, it offers a solution for different semantic problems such as context-dependency and polysemy. The latter, for instance, is demonstrated in one of the two well-elaborated applications of the framework within this book, the investigation of the polysemy of German setzen.
Besides the formal specification of the framework, the book comprises a cognitive interpretation of important modeling elements, discusses general issues connected with the framework such as dynamic and static aspects of verbal meanings, questions of granularity, and general constraints applying to verbal semantics. Moreover, first steps towards a compositional semantics are undertaken, and a new verb classification based on this graphical approach is proposed.
Since the framework is graphical in nature, the book contains many annotated figures, and the framework's modeling elements are illustrated by example diagrams. Not only scholars working in the field of linguistics, in particular in semantics, will find this book illuminating because of its new graphical approach, but also researchers of cognitive science, computational linguistics and computer science in general will surely appreciate it.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Preface
- List of figures
- List of tables
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Survey of research positions
- 2.1. Lexical semantics of verbs
- 2.2. Approaches to decompositional semantics
- 2.3. Semantic primitives and the Natural Semantic Metalanguage
- 3. Introducing the UER
- 3.1. A rigorous cognitive approach towards verbal semantics
- 3.2. Foundation of the UER
- 3.3. General characteristics
- 3.4. Diagram elements
- 4. Basic concepts of the UER
- 4.1. General extension mechanisms
- 4.2. Static structure concepts
- 4.3. Dynamic structure concepts
- 5. Advanced concepts of the UER
- 5.1. Aggregation
- 5.2. Transition
- 5.3. Black box
- 5.4. Eventity frame
- 5.5. Template
- 5.6. Subcore state
- 6. Interpretation of UER concepts
- 6.1. Eventity frames: Central cognitive units
- 6.2. Enumerations: Recurring cognitive categories
- 6.3. Attributes: Semantic features
- 6.4. Classes: Categories
- 6.5. Participant types: Referencing ontological categories
- 6.6. Participant roles: Referencing prototypical semantic roles
- 6.7. Associations / aggregations: Participant relationships
- 6.8. Generalizations: Inheritance relationships
- 6.9. Simple states / transitions: Basic eventity types
- 6.10. Events / cause-signal: Triggers and causation
- 6.11. Submachine / subcore states: Conceptual structuring
- 6.12. Templates: Linguistic description device
- 6.13. Stereotypes: Clusters of recurring characteristics
- 6.14. Properties: Semantic specifications
- 6.15. Constraints: Semantic restrictions
- 6.16. Unspecified elements: Underspecification
- 7. General issues
- 7.1. Constraints for representing verbal semantics
- 7.2. Static vs. dynamic aspects of verbal semantics
- 7.3. Modeling granularity
- 7.4. Semantic primitives
- 7.5. Towards a compositional semantics
- 8. Application I: Eventity classification
- 8.1. States: States, acts, and activities
- 8.2. Transitions: Change eventities
- 8.3. Cause-signals: Interactional eventities
- 8.4. Overview and outlook
- 9. Application II: The polysemy of German setzen
- 9.1. English put and German verbs of position
- 9.2. The prototypical reading of setzen
- 9.3. Prototypical reflexivity
- 9.4. Extensions of the prototypical case
- 9.5. Recapitulation of results
- 10. Epilog
- A. The notational elements of the UER
- A.1. General extension mechanisms
- A.2. Static structure elements
- A.3. Dynamic structure elements
- A.4. Eventity frame and eventity frame template
- A.5. Miscellaneous
- Notes
- References
- Index of names
- UER index
- Subject index