Semantic molecules

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Author(s)
Goddard, Cliff
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2007
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This paper explains and explores the concept of “semantic molecules” in the NSM
methodology of semantic analysis. A semantic molecule is a complex lexical
meaning which functions as an intermediate unit in the structure of other, more
complex concepts. The paper undertakes an overview of different kinds of semantic
molecule, showing how they enter into more complex meanings and how they
themselves can be explicated. It shows that four levels of “nesting” of molecules
within molecules are attested, and it argues that while some molecules, such as
‘hands’ and ‘make’, may well be language-universal, many others are languagespecific.This paper explains and explores the concept of “semantic molecules” in the NSM
methodology of semantic analysis. A semantic molecule is a complex lexical
meaning which functions as an intermediate unit in the structure of other, more
complex concepts. The paper undertakes an overview of different kinds of semantic
molecule, showing how they enter into more complex meanings and how they
themselves can be explicated. It shows that four levels of “nesting” of molecules
within molecules are attested, and it argues that while some molecules, such as
‘hands’ and ‘make’, may well be language-universal, many others are languagespecific.
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Conference Title
2006 Annual Meeting of the Australian Linguistic Society
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Copyright Statement
© The authors 2006. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the conference's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Linguistic Structures (incl. Grammar, Phonology, Lexicon, Semantics)