Lexical functions : The naked truth

1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-3-98554-215-4
Verlag: Language Science Press

Buch, Englisch, 260 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 501 g

Reihe: Textbooks in Language Sciences 21

This book introduces lexical functions, a formal tool which ensures a systematic homogeneous description of two complementary families of relations between lexical units: derivations – paradigmatic lexical functions; collocations, which are constrained lexical combinations – syntagmatic lexical functions.

Each lexical function is associated with a specific meaning and once it is applied to a given lexical unit, which is seen as its argument, the function returns, as its value, the set of (near-)synonymous lexical entities which express this meaning depending on the argument. As an example, the paradigmatic lexical function S1 is associated with the meaning 'someone/something which does/is...', and the syntagmatic lexical function Magn is associated with the meaning 'very'/'intense(ly)' as illustrated below. S1 (felony) = felon S1(gossip?) = gossiper; busybody S1(disappointing) = disappointment; bummer Magn(penalty) = harsh, heavy, hefty, severe, stiff Magn(fight?) = fiercely, ?to the bitter end?, ?tooth and nail? Magn(bored) = stiff [~], ?to death?, ?to tears?

The volume describes and illustrates (for English, French and Russian) the system of 66 simple standard lexical functions, which can be combined to form complex and configurational lexical functions. Standard lexical functions are language-universal: they seem sufficient for the description of standard derivations and collocations of any language. (For unique and deviating derivations and collocations non-standard lexical functions are assumed.) Balancing conceptual depth with pedagogical effort, Lexical functions: The naked truth guides readers from foundational notions to the full system of lexical functions, concluding with their role in modeling the network structure of natural language lexicons.

Zielgruppe

Wissenschaft

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mel'cuk, Igor

Polguère, Alain

Über Autor(innen)

Polguère, Alain
Alain Polguère is a linguist and lexicographer whose research focuses on lexical semantics, phraseology, and the description of vocabulary within Meaning–Text Theory. He has collaborated extensively with Igor Mel'cuk on the development of explanatory combinatorial lexicography and the study of lexical functions. Polguère is also known for his work on French lexical networks and for developing innovative approaches to vocabulary learning and lexicographic resources.

Mel'cuk, Igor
Igor Mel'cuk is a Russian-Canadian linguist best known for developing Meaning–Text Theory, a framework that models the relationship between meaning and linguistic expression. His research has made major contributions to lexical semantics, syntax, morphology, and phraseology, particularly through the concept of lexical functions. Mel'cuk has authored numerous influential books and articles and has played a central role in advancing dependency-based approaches to linguistic analysis.