Approaches to Word Meanings

Question 1

What is componential analysis

Answer 1

analysis in terms of semantic features

-gives necessary/sufficient properties

Question 2

give an example of a componential analysis

Answer 2

ram = +male+adult
ewe= -male+adult

Question 3

advantages of the componential view

Answer 3

1. captures similarities and differences between families of words (ram/ewe/bull)
2. provides the basis for an account of antonymy and synonymy
3. natural for some areas of vocab (kinship)

Question 4

disadvantages of componential analysis

Answer 4

1. lack of plausible analyses for many words (cup vs mug?)
2. some categories lack common property
3. many Cs have fuzzy borders (colours/shades)
4. many have internal structure (birds=penguins/sparrow)

Question 5

what is a prototype?

Answer 5

“a kind of X”
member of a category that best represents the category as a whole
the denotation of a word has clear,
prototypical members

Question 6

advantages of the prototype

Answer 6

1. answers the challenges of the semantic feature approach (lack of plausible analyses, fuzzy boundaries, internal structure)
2. evidence from Language Universals
3. Psycholinguistic evidence
4. evidence from language acquisition (overextension of terms in a familiar aspect- daddy=all males)

Question 7

disadvantages of prototype

Answer 7

1. guppy effect

P for pet fish, but not for pet or fish