The metalanguage of a lexicographic definition in the descriptive dictionary (based on the dictionaries of the Serbian language)

Abstract

In this paper we present the continuous hierarchical ordering of the first part of the definition of lexemes from the thematic group ‘buildings’ by analyzing the vertical organization of superordination of concepts in the lexicographical definition. We demonstrate that the vertical sequence mounts from a higher level of conceptual categorization, ‘localizer,’ in the form of complex and simple primitives (PLACE > SPACE [WHERE], SPACE > EXPANSE [SOMETHING THAT IS (BOUNDLESSLY) SPREADING IN EVERY DIRECTION]) and descends toward a lower hyperonimic level of ‘buildings’. The suggested model links meanings systematically, on a micro-level of meaning within the polysemic structure, and on a macrolevel of meanings of lexemes belonging to a thematic group/class, which is significant for the descriptive lexicography and for the modeling of semantic description in the electronic dictionary of the contemporary Serbian language. Such description could facilitate the cross-referencing of lexemes and advanced search, which is essential both for linguists and dictionary users.[Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 178009: Lingvistička istraživanja savremenog srpskog jezika i izrada Rečnika srpskohrvatskog književnog i narodnog jezika SANU]

Keywords

• meta-analysis of lexicographic definition
• lexicographic metalanguage
• descriptive lexicography
• lexical (semantic) primes
• Serbian language
• modeling of semantic description