Lexical functions: The naked truth

By Alain Polguère and Igor Mel'čuk

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(gossipᵥ) = gossiper; busybody S₁(disappointing) = disappointment; bummer Magn(penalty) = harsh, heavy, hefty, severe, stiff Magn(fightᵥ) = 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3985542155
• ISBN13: 9783985542154
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Language Science Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.7" x 9.6"