The semantics of the lexicographic definition : a critique of its analytical method, form, and function, with special reference to nominal concepts

Abstract

From a conventional perspective, the explicit purpose of the lexicographic definition is to explicate the meaning of a lexeme within the monolingual dictionary. Yet from a lexical semantic standpoint, the implicit purpose of the lexicographic definition is to actualise the under lying conceptual structure of the lexicon. The defining process of words and concepts has a dual function to perform: the descriptive, which is to present an interpretative model of word-meaning, and the prescriptive, which is to build a formalised model of the profile of the lexicon and its structures. In order for the lexicographic definition to perform these functions adequately, the lexicographer needs to operate within a metatheory of semantic description and categorisation. Despite progress in prototype semantics, the conventional methodology adopted by lexicographers is viewed somewhat askance by semanticists. The fact is that the semantic description of nominal concepts fails to meet the requirements of an adequate method of lexical analysis. This study addresses the issue that the categorisation of nominal concepts into concepts and abstract categories is inadequate. The principal argument is that the internal organisation of the lexicon is systematic, governed by hyponymic/hypernymic sense-relations, and that this organisation should therefore be reflected in the same manner within the dictionary. The paradigmatic sense-relation of the lexicon in contrast to other types of lexical relations is considered more reliable and consistent on the basis of which the lexicographer can assign closely related hyponyms to their most relevant classword/hypernym. The choice of which dictionary entries to group together and under which concept they should be listed is usually determined by the lexicographer in a haphazard manner without reference to theoretical principles relating to concepts and abstract categories. The objective of this study is threefold: first, to relate the analytical method of definition to prevalent theories of meaning: the componential (decompositional), the representational (prototype); second, to examine to what extent the dictionary definition is systematic in describing hyponymic/hypernymic sense-relations of the lexicon; and third, to propose a model by which to make the categorisation procedure of dictionary entries denoting nominal concepts into concepts and abstract categories more systematic and consistent. To pursue these objectives, a critique is presented demonstrating that the main drawbacks of the conventional methodology are the by-product of the abyss between semantic theories and lexicography. It is frequently acknowledged that if the ultimate aim of the defining procedure is to process semantic information underlying each dictionary entry, then an adequate profiling of the lexicon is a prerequisite. The assumption is that without integrating the theoretical insights advanced by the prototype theory into the micro-structural activities of lexicography, the structuring process of dictionary entries will only degenerate into a disarray of unrelated concepts dominated by various discrepancies. Due to the limitations and inconsistencies of the defining vocabulary system, theoretical lexicography warrants the need to develop a consistent and objective defining metalanguage. To modify the conventional methodology, a formalised model of a metatheory based on the notion of lexical hierarchies, abstract categories and prototypicality is presented, on the basis of which a proposed schema is developed to systematise the processing of semantic information within the dictionary definition.