An architecture for a universal lexicon
Naoyuki Nomura, Douglas A. Jones, Robert C. Berwick · 1994
ltindiGiven the prominence of the lexicon in most current (3) !inguistic theories (I.FG, HPSG, GB), lhe inventory of language particular information left in the lexicon teserves special attention.Constructing large computerized lexicons remains a difficult problem, milding a large array of apparently arbitrary information.I'his papers shows that this arbitrariness can bc mn,;trained more than might have been previously hought.In particular, arbitrariness of argument slructure, Bengali xord sense, and paraphrasability will be shown not only (4) o be constrained, hut also to be integrally rchttcd.Our radical) view is that wu'iation of lexical behavior across anguages is exactly like lexical variation within anguages, specifically, the difference lies in the presence ~r absence of certain morphemes.For cxatnple, the fact hat Japanese has richer possibilities it] certain verbal mtterns is derived solely from its morphological (;reek nventory.~ Put another way, language parameters (5) ;imply are the presence or absence of lexical material in he morphological componet]t.Observed hmguagc ~ariation patterns reflect morphological systematicity.I'he generative machinery for producing argutnent ;tructure positions is fixed across languages.iAnguistie Motivation.A striking example underscoring universality of trgument structure is the familiar Spray/Load 2 tlternation, shown in example (1).Despite the many m'l'acc differences in these data across htnguages, they ,hare several essential properties. 1 ) a. John loaded tile hay on the wagon.b.John loaded tile wagon with the hay. '(l[)atlese2) a.taroo-wa teepu-o boo-ni mait,{i.