The MuLeXFoR Database: Representing Word-Formation Processes in a Multilingual Lexicographic Environment

Bruno Cartoni, Marie-Aude Lefer


Abstract
This paper introduces a new lexicographic resource, the MuLeXFoR database, which aims to present word-formation processes in a multilingual environment. Morphological items represent a real challenge for lexicography, especially for the development of multilingual tools. Affixes can take part in several word-formation rules and, conversely, rules can be realised by means of a variety of affixes. Consequently, it is often difficult to provide enough information to help users understand the meaning(s) of an affix or familiarise with the most frequent strategies used to translate the meaning(s) conveyed by affixes. In fact, traditional dictionaries often fail to achieve this goal. The database introduced in this paper tries to take advantage of recent advances in electronic implementation and morphological theory. Word-formation is presented as a set of multilingual rules that users can access via different indexes (affixes, rules and constructed words). MuLeXFoR entries contain, among other things, detailed descriptions of morphological constraints and productivity notes, which are sorely lacking in currently available tools such as bilingual dictionaries.
Anthology ID:
L10-1161
Volume:
Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC'10)
Month:
May
Year:
2010
Address:
Valletta, Malta
Venue:
LREC
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Publisher:
European Language Resources Association (ELRA)
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URL:
http://www.lrec-conf.org/proceedings/lrec2010/pdf/236_Paper.pdf
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Cite (ACL):
Bruno Cartoni and Marie-Aude Lefer. 2010. The MuLeXFoR Database: Representing Word-Formation Processes in a Multilingual Lexicographic Environment. In Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC'10), Valletta, Malta. European Language Resources Association (ELRA).
Cite (Informal):
The MuLeXFoR Database: Representing Word-Formation Processes in a Multilingual Lexicographic Environment (Cartoni & Lefer, LREC 2010)
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PDF:
http://www.lrec-conf.org/proceedings/lrec2010/pdf/236_Paper.pdf