Talking cherries: predicates and relationships in the dictionary definitions and the defining statements

Dorota Śliwa

Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to present a semantic analysis of meaning that is based on adequately read Aristotelian concept, and developed within the framework of metaphysical realism. A reflection on the nature of real existence makes one discover an ontic structure of actually existing objects; this internally coherent structure is closely related to the resulting ontological structure that is fundamental to all meaning relations. As opposed to the traditionally adopted division between ontological and logical relations, metaphysical realism explains semantic relations between particular components of an object in question: this is due to the fact that these components are linked under logical relations, where the relation of causality is of superior character. In this account, the units of description are source sentences, i.e. the predications where the predicative expression designates a given component (property) or relation. In lexicographical definitions and definitional statements, such predications are linked together and subject to syntactic and morphological transformations. A review of selected names of cherries in French (cerises) and their lexical definitions indicates that there is a need for ontological structure of certain cherry varieties, and for their respective names within the category to be hierarchically organized by an expert. Particular predications express human cognitive activity that is structured not only by logical reasoning but also by sensual perception. This fundamental concept dates back to Aristotle, who spoke of the essence of things rather than the necessary and sufficient conditions to capture the meaning of a word.

Keywords:

semantics, ontological structure, signifié, predication, hyperonym, lexicographical definition, specialist discourse