A lexical function (LF) is a tool developed within Meaning-Text Theory for the description and systematization of semantic relationships, specifically collocations and lexical derivation, between particular lexical units (LUs) of a language. LFs are also used in the construction of technical lexica (Explanatory Combinatorial Dictionaries) and as abstract nodes in certain types of syntactic representation. Basically, an LF is a function ƒ( ) representing a correspondence ƒ that associates a set ƒ(L) of lexical expressions with an LU L; in f(L), L is the keyword of ƒ, and ƒ(L) = {L´i} is ƒ’s value. Detailed discussions of Lexical Functions are found in Žolkovskij & Mel’čuk 1967, Mel’čuk 1974, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2007, and Wanner (ed.) 1996; analysis of the most frequent type of lexical functions—verb-noun collocations—can be found in Gelbukh & Kolesnikova 2013.
Standard Lexical Functions
Standard LFs form a proper subset of normal LFs. A normal LF ƒ is called Standard if and only if it satisfies both following conditions:
1. Broadness of the domain of ƒ: ƒ is defined for a relatively large number of keywords;
2. Diversity of the range of ƒ: ƒ has a relatively large number of expressions as elements of its possible values and these expressions are more or less equitably distributed between different keywords.
Normal LFs that do not satisfy both Conditions 1 and 2, on the one hand, and degenerate LFs, on the other, are called Non-Standard. An example of a Non-Standard LF is the meaning ‘without addition of dairy product’. It has two expressions in English, a phraseological one—BLACK (with COFFEE: black coffee), and a free one—WITHOUT MILK (tea without milk is not *black tea). This meaning fails Condition 1: it is too specific and applicable only to one beverage. It thus corresponds to a Non-Standard LF.
Simple Standard LFs
1. Syn = synonym.
Syn(helicopter) = copter, chopper
Syn(telephoneV) = phoneV
2. Anti = antonym.
3. Convijk = conversive.
- This LF returns for L an LU L´ with the same meaning as L but with its Deep Syntactic Actants (roughly, syntactic arguments) i, j and k permuted —for example, the DSyntAs k, i and j of L are permuted in L´ such that .
Conv21(include) = belong
Conv231⊃(opinion) = reputation
Conv21(behind) = in front of
Conv21(precede) = follow
4. Gener = the closest generic concept for L.
- The value of this LF must appear in one of the following two constructions:
- 1) ‘Gener(L)−ATTR→DER(L)’ = ‘L’ ; or
- 2) L, X1, X2, ..., Xn and other (kinds of) Gener(L).
Gener(republic) = state
Gener(liquidN) = substance
Gener(arrestN) = reprisals
5. Figur = standard received metaphor for L.
Figur(fog) = wall
Figur(rain) = curtain
Figur(remorse) = pangs
6. S0 = Substantival, output N having a congruent meaning to L (which can be of any part of speech except N):
S0(analyze) = analysis
7. A0 = Adjectival, output A having a congruent meaning to L (which can be of any part of speech except A):
A0(city) = urban
8. V0 = Verbal, output V having a congruent meaning to L (which can be of any part of speech except V):
V0(analysis) = analyze
9. Adv0 = Adverbial, output Adv having a congruent meaning to L (which can be of any part of speech except Adv):
Adv0(followV ) = after
10. Si = standard name of the i-th (Deep-Syntactic) actant of L.
- For the verb TEACH: ‘Person X1 teaches subject Y2 to people Z3’
S1(teach) = teacher
S2(teach) = subject/matter
S3(teach) = pupil
- For the noun LETTER: ‘Letter by person X to person Y about Z’
S1(letter) = author, sender
S2(letter) = addressee
S3(letter) = contents
11. Sinstr = standard name of the instrument used in the situation denoted by L.
Sinstr⊃(shoot) = firearm Sinstr(murderV,N) = murder weapon
12. Smed = standard name of the means used to bring about the situation denoted by L.
Smed⊃(shoot) = ammunition
13. Smod = standard name of the mode through which the situation denoted by L is realized.
Smod(consider ) = approach
14. Sloc = standard name of the location where the situation denoted by L is realized.
Sloc(fightV ) = battlefield Sloc(war) = theater (of war)
15. Sres = standard name of the result of the situation denoted by L.
Sres⊃(learn) = knowledge, skills Sres⊃(explosion) = shockwave Sres⊃(copyV) = copyN, reproduction
16. Ablei = determining property of the i-th potential DSyntA of L (‘such that it can L easily’/‘such that it can be L-ed easily’):
Able1(cryV) = tearful Able1(vary) = variable Able2(prove) = provable Able2(trustV) = trustworthy
17. Quali = determining property of the i-th probable DSynt-actant of L (‘such that it is predisposed to L’/‘such that it is predisposed to be L-ed’):
Qual1(cryV/N) = sad Qual1(laughV/N) = cheerful Qual2(doubtV/N) = implausible Qual2(laughV/N) = awkward, absurd
18. Ai = determining property of the i-th DSyntA of L from the viewpoint of its role in the situation ‘L’.
- A1 is semantically roughly equivalent to an active participle (≈ ‘which is L-ing’), and A2 to a passive participle (≈ ‘which is being L-ed’):
A1(anger) = in //angry A1(speed) = with A2(analyze) = //under analysis A2(conduct )= //under the baton
19. Advi = the determining property of the action by the i-th DSyntA of L from the viewpoint of the role of the DSyntAi of L in the situation denoted by L.
- Adv1 is semantically roughly equivalent to an active verbal adverb (≈ ‘while L-ing’), and Adv2, to a passive verbal adverb (≈ ‘while being L-ed’):
Adv1(anger) = with //angrily Adv1(decreaseN,V) = //down Adv2(applause) = to Adv2(bombard) = //under bombardment
20. Imper command’] = imperative expression meaning ‘do L!’
Imper(shoot) = Fire! Imper(speak low) = Shhh! Imper(stop ) = Whoa!
21. Result result’] = ‘ be the expected result of L’:
Result(buyV) = ownV Result(lie down) = be lying Result(have learnt) = know , have the necessary skills
22. Centr =‘the center/culmination of L’
- Syntactically, Centr(L) is a noun that takes the name of L as its DSyntA II: Centr−II→L, etc.
Centr(forest) = the thick Centr(crisis) = the height Centr(glory) = summit Centr(life) = prime
23. Magn = ‘very’, ‘to a (very) high degree’, ‘intense(ly)’:
Magn(naked) = stark Magn(laughV) = heartily; one’s head off Magn(patience) = infinite Magn(skinny ) = as a rake
24. Ver = ‘as it should be’, ‘meeting intended requirements’:
Ver(surprise) = sincere, genuine, unfeigned Ver(punishment) = well-deserved, just Ver(instrument) = precise Ver(walkV) = steadily
25. Bon = ‘good’:
Bon(cutV) = neatly, cleanly Bon(proposal) = tempting Bon(service) = first-class Bon(assistance) = invaluable
26. Locin = preposition governing L and designating a containing spatial location (‘being in’):
Locin(height) = at
27. Locad = preposition governing L and designating an entering spatial relation (‘moving into’):
Locad(height) = to
28. Locab = preposition governing L and designating an exiting spatial relation (‘moving out of’):
Locab(height) = from
29. Instr = preposition meaning ‘by means of L’:
Instr(typewriter) = on Instr(satellite) = via Instr(mail) = by Instr(argument) = with
30. Propt = preposition meaning ‘because of’/‘as a result of L’:
Propt(fear) = from, out of Propt(love) = out of
31. Operi do, carry out’] = a light verb used as part of the expression ‘realize/carry out L':
- The DSyntA I of this verb (and its Subject) is the expression that is described in the Government Pattern of L as the i-th DSyntA of L, and Operi’s DSyntA II (= its Primary Object) is L itself.
Oper1(blowN) = deal Oper1(supportN) = lend Oper2(blowN) = receive Oper2(supportN) = receive
32. Funci function’]:
- The DSyntA I of this verb (and its Subject) is L itself, and its DSyntA II (its Primary Object) is the i-th DSyntA of L.
Func1(blowN) = comes Func2(blowN) = falls
- If Funci has no object, the subscript 0 is used:
Func0(snowN) = falls Func0(option) = is open Func0(preparations) = are under way Func0(rumors) = circulate
33. Laborij work, toil’]:
- The DSynt-actant I of this verb (and its Subject) is the i-th DSyntA of L, its DSyntA II (its Primary Object) is the j-th DSyntA of L, its DSyntA III (= its Secondary Object) is the j+1-st DSyntA of L, and its further DSyntA (its TertiaryObject) is L itself.
Labor12(interrogation) = subject Labor32(leaseN) = grant
34. Incep = ‘begin’:
Incep(sleep) = fall asleep
35. Cont = ‘continue’:
Cont(sleep) = stay asleep
36. Fin = ‘cease’:
Fin(sleep) = wake up
37. Caus ‘cause’
38. Perm =‘permit/allow’ ’
39. Liqu = ‘liquidate’
40. Reali
Real1(accusation) = prove Real1(car) = drive Real1(illness) = succumb Real2(law) = abide Real(hintN) = take Real2(demandN) = meet
41. Fact0/i
42. Labrealijk
43. Involv drag along’] = verb meaning ‘ involve Y’, ‘ affect Y’
- Involv links L and the name of a non-participant Y which is affected or acted upon by the situation ‘L’; Y is DSyntA II of Involv, and L is its DSyntA I:
Involv(lightN) = floods Involv(snowstorm) = catches , hits
44. Manif manifest’] = verb meaning ‘L manifests itself in Y’
- The keyword L, a noun, is DSyntA I of Manif, and Y (= in which L manifests itself) is its DSyntA II:
Manif(doubt) = nags Manif(joy) = lights up
45. Degrad degrade’] = verb meaning ‘ degrade’ ≈ ‘ become permanently worse or bad’.
- Degrad takes its keyword L, which can be any noun, as its DSyntA I.
Degrad(milk) = goes sour Degrad(meat) = goes off Degrad(discipline) = weakens Degrad(house) = becomes dilapidated
46. Son sound’] = verb meaning ‘ emit characteristic sound’.
- Son also takes its keyword, which most often, but not necessarily, is a concrete noun, as its DSyntA I.
Son(dog) = barks Son(battle) = rumbles Son(banknotes) = rustle Son(wind) = howls
Complex LFs and Configurations of LFs
Simple LFs can be combined to form complex LFs:
AntiMagn(applause) = scattered IncepOper1(loveN) = fall Adv1Real1(whim) = on
Certain expressions (collocations or derivations) can simultaneously realize two LFs, resulting in a configuration of LFs:
(doubt) = be plagued (≈ ‘ have strong doubts’) (health) = have a clean bill (≈ ‘ have good health’)
LFs in the lexicon
Lexical Functions play an important part in the lexicon, which of necessity must include information about the collocational and derivational properties of LUs. In MTT, the LFs for L are included in the entry for L in the Explanatory Combinatorial Dictionary:
REVULSION
Definition
X’s revulsion for Y ≡ ‘X’s (strong) negative feeling about Y caused by X’s perception of Y, similar to what people normally experience when they perceive something that makes them sick and such that it causes that X wants to stop perceiving Y’.
Government Pattern
| X = I | Y = I |
| 1. N’s 2. Aposs 3. A |
1. against N 2. at N |
1) CII.2 : N denotes something that can be seen or felt
2) CII.4 : N denotes people
John’s 〈his〉 revulsion against racism 〈against dismal results of his endeavors〉. John’s 〈his〉 revulsion at the sight of sea food; John’s 〈his〉 revulsion for work 〈for all those killings〉; John’s 〈his〉 revulsion for 〈= toward〉 these scoundrels 〈toward the government〉
Impossible:
John’s 〈his〉 revulsion *at these words
John’s 〈his〉 revulsion *towards these words
Lexical Functions
| Syn∩: distaste; repugnance; repulsion; disgust; loathing |
Anti∩: attraction | ||
| Conv21Anti∩: appeal | A1: revulsed | ||
| Able2: repulsive | Magn : deep, extreme | ||
| AntiMagn : mild | Adv1: in | ||
| Propt: from | Oper1: experience, feel | ||
| Magn + Oper1: be filled | Magn + Labor12: fill | ||
| Adv1Manif: with |
Examples He did it from deep revulsion for the bitterness of the sectarian strife. Any revulsion they might feel from fat-ass bastards they ran up against professionally was ad hominem and not ad genus . Mary turned her head away in revulsion. I felt no revulsion for her maternal fantasies, only a practical concern. She met his advances with revulsion. Pam was driven to revulsion (by the sight of the dead animal) 〈*The sight of the dead animal drove Pam to revulsion〉. Revulsion at slaughter cut war short .
Notes
- The material in this article is based to a large extent on Mel’čuk, Igor A. (2007). Lexical Functions. In H. Burger, D. Dobrovol’skij, P. Kühn & N. Norrick (eds.), Phraseology. An International Handbook of Contemporary Research, 119–13. Berlin/New York: W. de Gruyter. The material in the list of LFs and the sample ECD entry below is reproduced from that source with kind permission of the author.
References
- Fontenelle, Thierry. (2008) Using a bilingual dictionary to create semantic networks. In Thierry Fontenelle (ed.), Practical Lexicography: A reader, 175–185. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Žolkovskij, Aleksandr & Igor A. Mel’čuk, I. (1967). O semantičeskom sinteze. Problemy kibernetiki 19, 177–238.
- Mel’čuk, Igor A. (1974). Opyt teorii lingvističeskix modelej «Smysl ⇔ Tekst». Moscow: Nauka.
- Mel’čuk, Igor A. (1996). Lexical Functions: A tool for the description of lexical relations in the lexicon. In Leo Wanner (ed.), Lexical Functions in Lexicography and Natural Language Processing, 37–102. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
- Mel’čuk, Igor A. (1998). Collocations and Lexical Functions. In Anthony P. Cowie (ed.) Phraseology. Theory, analysis, and applications, 23–53. Oxford: Clarendon.
- Mel’čuk, Igor A. (2003). Collocations dans le dictionnaire. In Th. Szende (ed.), Les écarts culturels dans les dictionnaires bilingues, 19–64. Paris: Honoré Champion.
- Mel’čuk, Igor A. (2007). Lexical Functions. In H. Burger, D. Dobrovol’skij, P. Kühn & N. Norrick (eds.), Phraseology. An International Handbook of Contemporary Research, 119–131. Berlin/New York: W. de Gruyter.
- Wanner, Leo. (ed.) (1996). Lexical Functions in Lexicography and Natural Language Processing. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
- Gelbukh, A.; Kolesnikova, O. (2013). Semantic Analysis of Verbal Collocations with Lexical Functions. Studies in Computational Intelligence. Vol. 414. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-28771-8. ISBN 978-3-642-28770-1.