The geometry vs. the algebra of meaning

In this paper Gärdenfors’s geometric approach to meaning in natural language is compared to Jackendoff's algebraic one, and this is done against the backdrop of formal semantics. Ultimately, the paper tries to show that Jackendoff's framework is to be preferred to all others. The paper proceeds as follows. In Section 2, the common theoretical commitments of Gärdenfors and Jackendoff are outlined, and it is attempted to argue briefly that they are on the right track. In Section 3, the basics of the two frameworks to be compared are laid out, and it is assessed how they deal with some central issues in semantic theory, namely reference and truth, lexical decomposition, and compositionality. In Section 4, we get into the nitty-gritty of how Gärdenfors and Jackendoff actually proceed in semantic analysis, using an example of a noun and a verb (embedded in a sentence). In Section 5, the merits of Gärdenfors's empiricism when it comes to word learning and concept acquisition are assessed and compared to the moderate nativism of Jackendoff, and it is argued that Jackendoff's nativism is to be preferred. In the sixth section, the semantic internalism common to both frameworks is commented on.

PADANAN KOSAKATA ARAB DALAM AL-QUR’AN TERJEMAH VERSI INDONESIA DAN MALAYSIA

The purpose of this study is to describe the differences in the concept of meaning between the translation of the Qur'an in the Indonesian and Malaysian versions and explain the factors that influence the differences in the concept of meaning. This is a qualitative study that employs library material analysis with enrichment from the interview. Several material objects used, such as the Al-Wafi dictionary and Diwan dictionary, the quranic verses about women in the Malaysia Team of Islamic Progress (JAKIM), and Ministry of Religion RI in January 2017. The difference in its meaning was analyzed by lexical decomposition. It was concluded that the concept meaning of a word in Malaysian tends to be used in various contexts and has polysemy. The factors that influence of distinguishing in meaning concept are social, cultural, political, government policies. The translation of the Quran in the Malay language version tends to use the majazi expression and is more textual. The Indonesia translation of the Qur’an more contextual due to the influence of Islamic thought in Indonesia, which more moderate, tolerant, and accommodate local wisdom.

A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENCE LEXICAL CHOICES IN QURAN TRANSLATION OF INDONESIAN AND DUTCH VERSIONS

This study aims to compare two translations of the Quran, which were known for the first time among Indonesian Muslims around 1930-1950. De Heilig Qoeran, translated into the Dutch language written by Soedewo and Terjemah Quran Karim was translated into the Indonesian language written by Mahmud Yunus. The material object of this study was: De Heilig Qoeran, which was translated Quran into Dutch language, written by Soedewo and Terjemah Quran Karim was translated Quran into Indonesian language written by Mahmud Yunus. The formal object was the difference between these two translations lies not only in the differentiation of language but also the differences in lexical choices given by the two translators in certain verses in their book of translation. This research belongs to a descriptive qualitative. Data were analyzed using the matching method (metode padan). The difference in its meaning was analyzed by lexical decomposition. The results of this study indicate that the lexical choice differences in the two translated books produce significant differences in meaning over the entire verse. De Heilig Qoeran tends to choose lexicon, which has logical meanings while the Tafsir Quran Karim emphasizes supernatural things, especially related to the miracles of the prophets.

Event Structure and Syntax

This chapter examines the syntactic decompositional view of event structure. On this view, the event is composed of distinct syntactic heads that correspond to its meaning ingredients. The chapter critically reviews the various arguments presented in the literature for a decompositional analysis of pairs of verbs that differ roughly in that one of them has one more argument than the other. It focuses on the inchoative alternation, comparing it to the Japanese and Hungarian causative alternations. The chapter shows that these alternations differ from one another in important respects, and only the Japanese causative alternation deserves a syntactic decompositional treatment. The chapter thus contributes a critical evaluation of the scope and limitations of syntactic representations of lexical decomposition.

A frame-analysis of the interplay of grammar and cognition in emission verbs

Most decompositional approaches are confined to representing event structural properties whereas the idiosyncratic lexical content is often reduced to an unanalyzed atomic root. While approaches of this type are successfully applied to argument linking and some additional grammatical phenomena, we argue that other grammatically relevant aspects of verb behavior cannot be accounted for in this way. In order to illustrate the limits of ‘traditional’ decompositional accounts, we focus on the class of verbs of emission. Verbs of this class exhibit some grammatical asymmetries whose analysis requires lexical decomposition beyond traditional event structure templates. We argue that frames are a suitable format for extending event structure templates and provide an analysis of the phenomena at issue.

Lexical Decomposition and Comparative Structures for Japanese Determiners

No abstract.