Original scientific paper
Semantic transfers and classes of objects
Taoufik Massoussi
; Lexiques Dictionnaires Informatique CNRS - Universite Paris 13
Abstract
This article presents elements of a comprehensive description of metonymy for the purpose of
automatic processing. We have used a descriptive approach, as we collected empirical data and
performed lexical classification before leading to a widespread interpretation of the studied facts.
The metonymy type described in this paper involves basic names that form classes of objects, such
as that where elements from class A give their predicates to elements of class B, on the basis of a
syntactico–semantic correlation. Therefore, we speak of a metonymic transfer between classes of
arguments, which are linked by some underlying predicates that have the role of correlating these
classes. We illustrate our approach by studying the container/content relationship. We are expounding,
in the first step, the appropriate predicates that define joint names and names
of (this author has written a novel, I drive a car, etc..), after which we describe extensively
predicates suitable for (to read a novel, the car is parked), transferred by
metonymy name (to read a writer, I am parked).
Our lexical perspective has the advantage of a verifiable bottom–up analysis, since the description
is directed from lexical fine sub–classes. It also highlights the systematic nature of metonymy,
which involves a series of homogeneous words, and considers a formalization particularly suited
for the demands of processing systems.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
38149
URI
Publication date:
19.6.2009.
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