M.ª Paz Battaner

Introduction to Paz Vaquero

Presentation of the Speaker

• The session begins with an introduction of Paz Vaquero, a retired professor from Pompeu Fabra University specializing in Spanish language and literature didactics.

• She coordinates the Infolex group at the university's Institute for Applied Linguistics and teaches master's courses and specialized programs in psychography.

• Vaquero has directed several significant dictionaries, including the 2002 "Diccionario de uso del español de América y España" and the 2001 "Diccionario lema."

• She is recognized for her contributions to lexicography, lexicology, and language teaching methodologies as well as discourse analysis.

• Her extensive experience includes leading research projects and advising on curriculum development in language and literature education.

The Role of Dictionaries in Language Description

Conference Overview

• Paz Vaquero expresses gratitude for being invited to speak at the symposium focused on dictionaries' future in the digital age.

• She emphasizes that her contribution will address aspects related to her past work, highlighting how lexicography traditionally focused on individual words rather than their interrelations.

Evolving Perspectives on Lexicography

• Modern linguistics now prioritizes understanding lexical items within broader contexts, moving away from isolated definitions found in many traditional dictionaries.

• There is a growing convergence between grammar and lexicon; both fields are increasingly influencing each other due to advancements in generative linguistics and technology.

Cultural Aspects of Dictionaries

Intersection of Language and Culture

• Vaquero stresses that dictionaries serve as cultural touchpoints where human reality intersects with language through vocabulary development.

• She notes that while discussing grammatical descriptions, it’s essential not to overlook the encyclopedic nature of dictionaries which reflects cultural knowledge.

Challenges Ahead

Cognitive Activity and Lexicography

Understanding Cognitive Activity in Dictionaries

• The term "cognitive activity" is often associated with the word "animo" in dictionaries, highlighting differences in treatment across various lexicons.

• The representation of words like "automóvil" and "caballo" reflects historical significance; for instance, horses were more prevalent when earlier dictionaries were compiled.

• The speaker emphasizes their experience in lexicography and linguistic theory, indicating a focus on how relationships between words are presented.

Lexicographic Insights

• Modern lexicography places emphasis on corpus studies to improve dictionary representations, suggesting that traditional dictionaries contain valuable information that can be enhanced.

• There is a hypothesis that traditional dictionaries hold extensive information which can inform the development of new dictionaries.

Graduality of Meaning

• The concept of graduality in meaning is discussed, particularly regarding polysemy (multiple meanings), emphasizing that meanings are not binary but rather exist on a spectrum.

• Examples from different editions of the Academy's dictionary illustrate how definitions have evolved over time, showcasing changes in understanding polysemous terms.

Practical Applications in Dictionary Development

• A comparison among various dictionary editions (1992, 2001, 2014) reveals shifts in definitions and usage patterns for certain words like "desagradecer."

• The speaker notes instances where definitions may present disjunctive or exclusive meanings without clear markers, raising questions about clarity for users.

Statistical Analysis of Definitions

• An analysis was conducted on verbs defined with common gender; this led to insights about frequency and usage within educational contexts.

• Requests made to the Academy for specific data on polysemous verbs resulted in informative findings that influenced dictionary design strategies.

Analysis of the Verb "Disminuir" and Related Semantic Studies

Understanding the Definition and Usage of "Disminuir"

• The verb "disminuir" has a defined frequency in various dictionaries, with 32 definitions in the Academy's dictionary and 22 in the American-Spanish dictionary. A selection of around 50 verbs was prepared for analysis.

• The term "disminuir" is understood as making something smaller, leading to an exploration of other verbs that are semantically related or defined using "disminuir."

• An analysis was conducted on 29 frequently used verbs from both American and Spanish usage dictionaries, resulting in a total of 3,139 meanings that require significant attention.

Semantic Grouping and Ontological Challenges

• The work by Joan Soler on vocabulary in dictionaries provides guidance on how to organize verb definitions effectively, highlighting challenges faced when grouping semantic fields.

• There is a noted difficulty in defining certain verbs consistently across different contexts; this inconsistency can lead to confusion regarding their current usage.

Issues with Homogeneity in Dictionary Definitions

• The definition of "dedicar" (to dedicate) does not accurately reflect its modern use, indicating potential gaps between traditional definitions and contemporary language practices.

• Ongoing issues include semantic drift observed in both verbs and nouns; examples illustrate how some words have developed new meanings over time.

Examples of Semantic Drift

• Certain verbs exhibit dual meanings: one aligned with etymology/morphology and another representing newer usages that have emerged semantically over time.

• For instance, the verb "germinar" (to germinate) is now more commonly used in a non-botanical sense than its original meaning.

Enhancing Dictionary Definitions for Learners

• Current dictionary entries often define terms like "proteger" (to protect), but adjustments can improve clarity for learners by maintaining consistent definitional structures.

• When direct definitions cannot be maintained due to complexity, alternative strategies such as using general meaning labels are employed to aid comprehension for non-native speakers.

Structuring Information for Online Consultation

• Efforts are made to categorize complex entries into broader thematic blocks which facilitate easier navigation during online searches.

• For example, the verb “perder” (to lose), which has numerous meanings (27 listed), is organized into four main categories to streamline understanding.

Understanding Verbs and Nouns in Language

The Nature of Verbs

• The popular definition of verbs is often simplistic; however, verbs are nuanced and can be seen as having little inherent meaning until contextualized with other words.

• Differentiating between the extension of a word (how it is named) and its understanding (the deeper meaning) is crucial for grasping language nuances.

Contextual Meaning

• The meaning of verbs can shift significantly based on context, including figurative or ironic uses that may not be immediately apparent to listeners or readers.

• Unlike nouns, where definitions vary widely across different contexts, verbs tend to have more limited definitional variations in traditional dictionaries.

Specificity in Definitions

• Understanding specific traits within noun definitions—such as common gender versus specific characteristics—can illuminate additional meanings not represented in dictionaries.

• Nouns often possess the ability to take on new meanings socially; some usages become standardized while others remain less understood by non-native speakers.

Examples of Figurative Language

• An example provided is "águila" (eagle), which can metaphorically refer to someone astute in business rather than just the bird itself, showcasing how context shapes understanding.

• In contrast, certain terms like "prisa" (hurry) lack socialized extensions and do not lend themselves easily to varied interpretations.

Challenges with Dictionary Use

• There exists a challenge in recognizing semantic possibilities beyond what traditional dictionaries offer; modern dictionaries should adapt to these evolving meanings.

• Online dictionary consultations often lack alphabetical relationships that could aid users in discovering related words effectively.

The Role of Modern Dictionaries

Enhancements Needed for Online Resources

• Current online dictionaries from various publishers sometimes fail to provide an alphabetical relationship feature that could enhance user experience.

Lexical Relationships

• While many dictionaries include spelling guides, there’s a notable absence of pronunciation aids that would benefit users seeking clarity on word sounds.

Morphological Considerations

• Discussion includes morphological standards found within linguistic corpuses; examples highlight how English prefixes are increasingly integrated into Spanish vocabulary through usage trends.

Confluence Between Grammar and Lexicon

The Verb "Aceptar" in New Grammar

Understanding the Usage of "Aceptar"

• The verb "aceptar" is discussed in relation to its grammatical usage, where it can take both subjunctive and indicative forms depending on context.

• A specific example illustrates this: the phrase “había aceptado que la hijita del senador Agustín Cabral viniera” contrasts with “viene” or “vendría,” highlighting different nuances in meaning.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding dictionary definitions to grasp how verbs like "aceptar" function within sentences.

Enhancing Dictionaries with Grammatical Insights

• There is a call for dictionaries to incorporate more comprehensive information about verbs, including their various meanings and usages.

• The discussion includes references to online resources such as DAAE and Google Ngram, which provide frequency data for word usage across different contexts.

Enriching Language Resources

• The speaker mentions a humorous English thesaurus that visually represents words but refrains from presenting it due to time constraints.