Lexical function

A lexical function is a tool developed within Meaning-Text Theory for the description and systematization of semantic relationships, specifically collocations and lexical derivation, between particular lexical units of a language. LFs are also used in the construction of technical lexica and as abstract nodes in certain types of syntactic representation. Basically, an LF is a function ƒ representing a correspondence ƒ that associates a set ƒ of lexical expressions with an LU L; in f, L is the keyword of ƒ, and ƒ = is ƒ’s value. Detailed discussions of Lexical Functions are found in Žolkovskij & Mel’čuk 1967, Mel’čuk 1974, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2007, and Wanner 1996; analysis of the most frequent type of lexical functions—verb-noun collocations—can be found in Gelbukh & Kolesnikova 2013.

Standard Lexical Functions

Standard LFs form a proper subset of normal LFs. A normal LF ƒ is called Standard if and only if it satisfies both following conditions:
1. Broadness of the domain of ƒ: ƒ is defined for a relatively large number of keywords;

2. Diversity of the range of ƒ: ƒ has a relatively large number of expressions as elements of its possible values and these expressions are more or less equitably distributed between different keywords.
Normal LFs that do not satisfy both Conditions 1 and 2, on the one hand, and degenerate LFs, on the other, are called Non-Standard.
An example of a Non-Standard LF is the meaning ‘without addition of dairy product’. It has two expressions in English, a phraseological one—BLACK, and a free one—WITHOUT MILK. This meaning fails Condition 1: it is too specific and applicable only to one beverage. It thus corresponds to a Non-Standard LF.

Simple Standard LFs

1. Syn = synonym.

Syn = copter, chopper

Syn = phone_V
2. Anti = antonym.

3. Conv_ijk = conversive.

Conv₂₁ = belong

Conv₂₃₁⊃ = reputation

Conv₂₁ = in front of

Conv₂₁ = follow
4. Gener = the closest generic concept for L.
Gener = state

Gener = substance

Gener = reprisals
5. Figur = standard received metaphor for L.
Figur = wall

Figur = curtain

Figur = pangs
6. S₀ = Substantival, output N having a congruent meaning to L :
S₀ = analysis
7. A₀ = Adjectival, output A having a congruent meaning to L :
A₀ = urban
8. V₀ = Verbal, output V having a congruent meaning to L :
V₀ = analyze
9. Adv₀ = Adverbial, output Adv having a congruent meaning to L :
Adv₀ = after
10. S_i = standard name of the i-th actant of L.
S₁ = teacher

S₂ = subject/''matter

S₃ = pupil
S₁ = author, sender

S₂ = addressee

S₃ = contents
11. S_instr = standard name of the instrument used in the situation denoted by L.

S_instr⊃ = firearm
S_instr = murder weapon
12. S_med = standard name of the means used to bring about the situation denoted by L.

S_med⊃ = ammunition
13. S_mod = standard name of the mode through which the situation denoted by L is realized.

S_mod = approach
14. S_loc = standard name of the location where the situation denoted by L is realized.

S_loc = battlefield
S_loc = theater
15. S_res = standard name of the result of the situation denoted by L.
S_res⊃ = knowledge, skills
S_res⊃ = shockwave
S_res⊃ = copy_N, reproduction
16. Able_i = determining property of the i''-th potential DSyntA of L :
Able₁ = tearful
Able₁ = variable
Able₂ = provable
Able₂ = trustworthy
17. Qual_i = determining property of the i-th probable DSynt-actant of L :
Qual₁ = sad
Qual₁ = cheerful
Qual₂ = implausible
Qual₂ = awkward, absurd
18. A_i = determining property of the i-th DSyntA of L from the viewpoint of its role in the situation ‘L’.
A₁ = in //angry
A₁ = with
A₂ = //under analysis
A₂= //under the baton
19. Adv_i = the determining property of the action by the i-th DSyntA of L from the viewpoint of the role of the DSyntA_i of L in the situation denoted by L.
Adv₁ = with //angrily
Adv₁ = //down
Adv₂ = to
Adv₂ = //under bombardment
20. Imper command’] = imperative expression meaning ‘do L!’
Imper = Fire!
Imper = Shhh!
Imper = Whoa!
21. Result result’] = ‘ be the expected result of L’:
Result = own_V
Result = be lying
Result = know , have the necessary skills
22. Centr =‘the center/culmination of L’
Centr = the thick
Centr = the height
Centr = summit
Centr = prime
23. Magn = ‘very’, ‘to a high degree’, ‘intense’:
Magn = stark
Magn = heartily; one’s head off
Magn = infinite
Magn = as a rake
24. Ver = ‘as it should be’, ‘meeting intended requirements’:
Ver = sincere, genuine, unfeigned
Ver = well-deserved, just
Ver = precise
Ver = steadily
25. Bon = ‘good’:
Bon = neatly, cleanly
Bon = tempting
Bon = first-class
Bon = invaluable
26. Loc_in = preposition governing L and designating a containing spatial location :
Loc_in = at
27. Loc_ad = preposition governing L and designating an entering spatial relation :
Loc_ad = to
28. Loc_ab = preposition governing L and designating an exiting spatial relation :
Loc_ab = from
29. Instr = preposition meaning ‘by means of L’:
Instr = on
Instr = via
Instr = by
Instr = with
30. Propt = preposition meaning ‘because of’/‘as a result of L’:
Propt = from, out of
Propt = out of
31. Oper_i do, carry out’] = a light verb used as part of the expression ‘realize/carry out L':
Oper₁ = deal
Oper₁ = lend
Oper₂ = receive
Oper₂ = receive
32. Func_i function’]:
Func₁ = comes
Func₂ = falls
Func₀ = falls
Func₀ = is open
Func₀ = are under way
Func₀ = circulate
33. Labor_ij work, toil’]:
Labor₁₂ = subject
Labor₃₂ = grant
34. Incep = ‘begin’:
Incep = fall asleep
35. Cont = ‘continue’:
Cont = stay asleep
36. Fin = ‘cease’:
Fin = wake up
37. Caus ‘cause’

38. Perm =‘permit/allow’ ’

39. Liqu = ‘liquidate’

40. Real_i
Real₁ = prove
Real₁ = drive
Real₁ = succumb
Real₂ = abide
Real² = take
Real₂ = meet
41. Fact_0/i
42. Labreal_ijk
43. Involv drag along’] = verb meaning ‘ involve Y’, ‘ affect Y’
Involv = floods
Involv = catches , hits
44. Manif manifest’] = verb meaning ‘L manifests itself in Y’
Manif = nags
Manif = lights up
45. Degrad degrade’] = verb meaning ‘ degrade’ ≈ ‘ become permanently worse or bad’.
Degrad = goes sour
Degrad = goes off
Degrad = weakens
Degrad = becomes dilapidated
46. Son sound’] = verb meaning ‘ emit characteristic sound’.
Son = barks
Son = rumbles
Son = rustle
Son = ''howls''

Complex LFs and Configurations of LFs

Simple LFs can be combined to form complex LFs:
AntiMagn = scattered
IncepOper₁ = fall
Adv₁Real₁ = on
Certain expressions can simultaneously realize two LFs, resulting in a configuration of LFs:
' = be plagued
' = have a clean bill