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American Sign Language:
Linguistics:
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lex·i·cal |
(adjective) |
Definition: |
1. of words: relating to the individual words that make up the vocabulary of a language |
2. of lexicon: relating to a lexicon or to lexicography |
Other than lexical words, the lexicon consists of functional or grammatical words which do not refer to objects in the world."
At http://www.sil.org/linguistics/glossaryoflinguisticterms/WhatIsALexeme.htm (12/6/2007) we read:
Definition | |
A lexeme is the minimal unit of language which | |
|
|
It is made up of one or more form-meaning composites called lexical units. |
Discussion | |
A lexical database is organized around lexemes, which include all the morphemes of a language, even if these morphemes never occur alone. A lexeme is conventionally listed in a dictionary as a separate entry. |
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Now let's consider the part of the
assignment that states:
"DIRECTOR-DIRECT +AGENT."
In my opinion, that constitutes one
lexeme and two morphemes. The
lexeme would be the concept of
"director." The morphemes would be
"direct" and "agent." The way it is
written in the assignment is
ambiguous. I would instead just
write it "DIRECT-AGENT."
I would put the
interpretation "director" in a
separate English sentence. Putting
both the English interpretation and
the ASL Gloss in the same line is
redundant and makes it confusing for
students. Especially if they are
supposed to "count" things.
What book are you studying from?
Where is this assignment from?
--Cordially,
Dr. Bill
1) THEN THERE, CL: B DOOR-OPEN, DIRECT +AGENT F-R-E-Y,(CL: S-HEAD-PEERS-AROUND DOOR) SAYS “NOW PRO.3-COME ON!”
Thank you Dr.Vicars for such a rapid reply. The teacher gave us a dvd to video to watch and a book to read. Linguistics in ASL, 4th edition. The sentence above is how I glossed it in ASL straight from the DVD. The numbers quoted earlier was my futile attempt of counting morphemes. The instructor asked me how many lexicals, not lexemes I see? How many morphemes in the sentence. The instructor explained in lectures these terms. Unfortunately, I still to did not get it! This is a new class and there is no tutor on site. I didn't know who to ask for clarity. Thank you for all the information. Too kind! Ann
Hello Dr. Bill.I'm back with some progress on lexicals and morphemes. I read your notes and asked a classmate.Lexical entries (teacher inquiries)-I see 3 (here I'm counting nouns)Morphemes-16 (I'm counting all words +sign bases such as door=2 morphemes)1) THEN THERE, CL: B DOOR-OPENS, MANAGE+AGENT F-R-E-Y,(CL: S-HEAD-PEERS-AROUND DOOR), SAYS “NOW PRO.2 COME ON!”
I want to be clear that the full fingerspelling F-R-E-Y is only one morpheme Here it represents just one name. Single letters/symbols of the sign alphabet are not morphemes, right?Ann