Prototype theory and the meaning of verbs, with special reference to modern Greek verbs of motion
The present study tests the applicability of Prototype theory, selected among competing theoretical frameworks, to a lexical semantic analysis of verbs, with particular reference to the previously uncharted domain of Modern Greek verbs of motion. A number of the characteristics which Prototype theory established in connection with certain types of nouns are demonstrated to pertain to verbs: their meaning is not a matter of necessary and sufficient conditions, but rather a matter of gradation; their attributes combine in non-arbitrary ways to form categories with fuzzy boundaries the members of which are non-equivalent. Two categorizations of motion verbs according to 'major classificatory properties' are discussed at length. First, 'states', 'processes' and 'events' are shown to constitute a continuum, the focal points of which are identifiable on the basis of the interaction of factors such as spatio-temporal specifications, aspect, inherent semantic properties of individual verbs and the nature of the 'theme' (moving object). Second, 'causativity' and 'agentivity' are understood as distinct, to some extent, clusters of scalar properties and different Modern Greek motion verbs are shown to exhibit these properties
Antonopoulou, Eleni
Linguistics
Prototype theory and the meaning of verbs, with special reference to modern Greek verbs of motion. The present study tests the applicability of Prototype theory, selected among competing theoretical frameworks, to a lexical semantic analysis of verbs, with particular reference to the previously uncharted domain of Modern Greek verbs of motion. A number of the characteristics which Prototype theory established in connection with certain types of nouns are demonstrated to pertain to verbs: their meaning is not a matter of necessary and sufficient conditions, but rather a matter of gradation; their attributes combine in non-arbitrary ways to form categories with fuzzy boundaries the members of which are non-equivalent. Two categorizations of motion verbs according to 'major classificatory properties' are discussed at length. First, 'states', 'processes' and 'events' are shown to constitute a continuum, the focal points of which are identifiable on the basis of the interaction of factors such as spatio-temporal specifications, aspect, inherent semantic properties of individual verbs and the nature of the 'theme' (moving object). Second, 'causativity' and 'agentivity' are understood as distinct, to some extent, clusters of scalar properties and different Modern Greek motion verbs are shown to exhibit these properties
prototype_theory meaning verb special_reference modern_greek verb motion present_study test applicability prototype_theory select among compete theoretical_framework lexical_semantic analysis verb particular_reference previously domain modern_greek verb motion number characteristic prototype_theory establish_connection certain_type nouns demonstrate pertain verb meaning matter necessary_sufficient condition rather matter attribute combine non arbitrary way form category fuzzy boundary member non equivalent categorization motion verbs accord major classificatory property discuss length first states processes events show constitute continuum focal_point identifiable basis interaction_factor spatio_temporal specification aspect inherent semantic_property individual verbs nature theme move object second understood distinct extent cluster scalar property different modern_greek motion verb show exhibit property