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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'prototype' refer to in the context of nouns?
What does the term 'prototype' refer to in the context of nouns?
A mass noun can usually be counted in English.
A mass noun can usually be counted in English.
False
What is an example of a hyponym of the word 'meal'?
What is an example of a hyponym of the word 'meal'?
breakfast
The word ______ originates from the Latin meaning 'original'.
The word ______ originates from the Latin meaning 'original'.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following is an example of a spatial part of a rock?
Which of the following is an example of a spatial part of a rock?
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Incompatibility is considered pure unconstrained difference.
Incompatibility is considered pure unconstrained difference.
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What transition in language use is based on the has-relation?
What transition in language use is based on the has-relation?
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A prototype face typically has two ______, a nose, and a mouth.
A prototype face typically has two ______, a nose, and a mouth.
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Which of the following words is NOT a hyponym of 'seat'?
Which of the following words is NOT a hyponym of 'seat'?
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Study Notes
Nouns and Complexity
- Nouns typically denote rich, highly interconnected complexes of properties. (Cruse 2000: 289)
Describing Complexity
- Griffiths outlines ways to describe complexity in this chapter, starting with the "has-relation".
Prototypes
- The term "prototype" originates from Latin words meaning "original" and "form or model".
- In a non-technical context, a prototype is a highly representative example of a category.
- Prototypes are central, clear members of a word's denotation.
- For example, a prototype "face" has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth.
Pragmatic Inferences and the Has-Relation
- The "has-relation," limited to prototypes, forms the foundation of some pragmatic expectations in language.
- This is observable in the shift from indefinite to definite articles.
Spatial Parts
- A prototype thing, such as a rock, can be described as having a top, bottom (or base), sides, and front and back.
Hyponyms and Superordinates
- In semantics, terms like "square," "circle," and "triangle" are hyponyms of the superordinate word "shape."
Examples of Hyponyms
- "Fruits," including orange, apple, pear, banana, plum, and pineapple, are examples of hyponyms of the superordinate word "fruit".
- "Seat" is a superordinate term, with "chair," "bench," "stool," "sofa," and "settee" as hyponyms.
Incompatibility
- The contrasts between different kinds under a given superordinate are mainly captured by the sense relation of incompatibility.
- Incompatibility is not simply difference; it's difference against a backdrop of similarity.
- Examples of things exhibiting incompatibility include groupings of colours (black, purple, blue, brown, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, white, grey) and types of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Mass Nouns
- Mass nouns (or noncount nouns) name entities that cannot be counted in English.
- Examples include advice, bread, knowledge, luck, and work.
- Mass nouns are typically singular.
- Many abstract nouns are uncountable, but not all uncountable nouns are abstract.
Count Nouns
- Count nouns can form plurals and can be used with the indefinite article (e.g. books, a book).
Double Duty
- Some nouns can function as both count and mass nouns, such as "war."
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Description
This quiz explores complex notions of nouns, prototypes, and pragmatic inferences as described in the specified chapter. It examines the relationships and properties of nouns, including their spatial parts and classification through hyponyms and superordinates. Test your understanding of these linguistic concepts.
