A concept cluster quiz
Geoffrey K. Pullum,
Language Log,
May 19, 2010
Not everybody is happy when I say words have different meanings for each person that uses them. But it's hard to escape that conclusion when you actually look at language. Look at the different dings "I see ..." can mean, depending on context:
# understanding: I see what you're saying.
# judging: I see honesty as the fundamental prerequisite.
# experiencing: Our business saw some hard times last year.
# finding out: I'll see whether he's available.
# dating: I heard that she's seeing someone.
# consulting: You need to see a doctor.
# visiting: I'd be go and see my aunt for a while.
# ensuring: I'll see that this is done immediately.
# escorting: Let me see you to your car.
# sending away: I'll come to the airport and see you off.
Geoffrey K. Pullum writes, "The people who think clarity involves lack of ambiguity, so we have to strive to eliminate all multiple meanings and should never let a word develop a new sense... they simply don't get it about how language works, do they?" A good lesson for the Semantic Web people, no?
# understanding: I see what you're saying.
# judging: I see honesty as the fundamental prerequisite.
# experiencing: Our business saw some hard times last year.
# finding out: I'll see whether he's available.
# dating: I heard that she's seeing someone.
# consulting: You need to see a doctor.
# visiting: I'd be go and see my aunt for a while.
# ensuring: I'll see that this is done immediately.
# escorting: Let me see you to your car.
# sending away: I'll come to the airport and see you off.
Geoffrey K. Pullum writes, "The people who think clarity involves lack of ambiguity, so we have to strive to eliminate all multiple meanings and should never let a word develop a new sense... they simply don't get it about how language works, do they?" A good lesson for the Semantic Web people, no?
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