Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet
Specialized languages can activate different sets of semantic features when compared to general language or express concepts through different words according to the domain. The specialized lexicon, i.e., lexical units that denote more specific concepts and knowledge emerging from specific domains,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Languages |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/9/3/89 |
| _version_ | 1797240250145177600 |
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| author | Chiara Barbero Raquel Amaro |
| author_facet | Chiara Barbero Raquel Amaro |
| author_sort | Chiara Barbero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Specialized languages can activate different sets of semantic features when compared to general language or express concepts through different words according to the domain. The specialized lexicon, i.e., lexical units that denote more specific concepts and knowledge emerging from specific domains, however, co-exists with the common lexicon, i.e., the set of lexical units that denote concepts and knowledge shared by the average speakers, regardless of their specific training or expertise. Communication between specialists and non-specialists can show a big gap between language(s), and therefore lexical units, used by the two groups. However, quite often, semantic and conceptual overlapping between specialized and common lexical units occurs and, in many cases, the specialized and common units refer to close concepts or even point to the same reality. Considering the modeling of meaning in functional lexical resources, this paper puts forth a solution that links common and specialized lexica within the WordNet model framework. We propose a new relation expressing semantic proximity between common and specialized units and define the conditions for its establishment. Besides contributing to the observation and understanding of the process of knowledge specialization and its reflex on the lexicon, the proposed relation allows for the integration of specialized and non-specialized lexicons into a single database, contributing directly to improving communication in specialist/non-specialist contexts, such as teaching–learning situations or health professional-patient interactions, among many others, where code-switching is frequent and necessary. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:04:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-16608bb59bd74d7d967185dcaf869272 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-471X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:04:26Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Languages |
| spelling | doaj.art-16608bb59bd74d7d967185dcaf8692722024-03-27T13:50:57ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2024-03-01938910.3390/languages9030089Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNetChiara Barbero0Raquel Amaro1Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Linguistics Research Centre, NOVA University Lisbon, Avenida de Berna, 26-C, 1069-061 Lisbon, PortugalFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Linguistics Research Centre, NOVA University Lisbon, Avenida de Berna, 26-C, 1069-061 Lisbon, PortugalSpecialized languages can activate different sets of semantic features when compared to general language or express concepts through different words according to the domain. The specialized lexicon, i.e., lexical units that denote more specific concepts and knowledge emerging from specific domains, however, co-exists with the common lexicon, i.e., the set of lexical units that denote concepts and knowledge shared by the average speakers, regardless of their specific training or expertise. Communication between specialists and non-specialists can show a big gap between language(s), and therefore lexical units, used by the two groups. However, quite often, semantic and conceptual overlapping between specialized and common lexical units occurs and, in many cases, the specialized and common units refer to close concepts or even point to the same reality. Considering the modeling of meaning in functional lexical resources, this paper puts forth a solution that links common and specialized lexica within the WordNet model framework. We propose a new relation expressing semantic proximity between common and specialized units and define the conditions for its establishment. Besides contributing to the observation and understanding of the process of knowledge specialization and its reflex on the lexicon, the proposed relation allows for the integration of specialized and non-specialized lexicons into a single database, contributing directly to improving communication in specialist/non-specialist contexts, such as teaching–learning situations or health professional-patient interactions, among many others, where code-switching is frequent and necessary.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/9/3/89specialized lexiconcommon lexiconmental lexiconwordnetlexical semantics |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Barbero Raquel Amaro Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet Languages specialized lexicon common lexicon mental lexicon wordnet lexical semantics |
| title | Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet |
| title_full | Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet |
| title_fullStr | Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet |
| title_short | Are We Talking about the Same Thing? Modeling Semantic Similarity between Common and Specialized Lexica in WordNet |
| title_sort | are we talking about the same thing modeling semantic similarity between common and specialized lexica in wordnet |
| topic | specialized lexicon common lexicon mental lexicon wordnet lexical semantics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/9/3/89 |
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