Abstract
This paper presents a cross-lingual methodology for analyzing verbal argument structures to uncover shared syntax-semantic patterns among verbal complements across languages. The primary contribution is a novel semantic model for encoding verbal arguments in multiple languages. The methodology is rooted in the k-Multilingual Concept (\(MC^k\)) model, a state-of-the-art automated system designed for retrieving and aligning semantically-equivalent lexical items across k different languages. We integrated WordNet, BabelNet, and VerbNet into a framework that accommodates the unique demands of verbal context. The methodology is implemented in a highly-scalable pipeline, creating VerbAligNet, a new resource that encodes over 6k verbal arguments for 600+ verb senses, showcasing prevalent usage patterns across 9 valency frames on three languages. The evaluation demonstrates its accuracy in extracting semantically-equivalent verbal arguments for diverse verbs.
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Notes
- 1.
Examples are all taken from the source article [14].
- 2.
For example, the verb break can be used transitively (John broke the window) or intransitively (The window broke), representing one transitivity alternation.
- 3.
The Recipient can be also expressed as an oblique object, encoded into a prepositional phrase (PP) (e.g. “She gave the book to him”). However, this frame (NP V NP PP.recipient) is not included in the scope of our analysis.
- 4.
BabelNet high-quality lexicalizations are those word forms that are not marked as resulting from an automatic translation.
- 5.
- 6.
Updates to the resource will be provided in the same repository.
- 7.
- 8.
The annotator who performed the evaluation is a native Italian speaker with a minimum C1 proficiency level in English and German. Therefore, the evaluation is assured by solid accuracy.
- 9.
That is, \(EN\) \(\leftrightarrow \) \(IT\) ; \(EN\) \(\leftrightarrow \) \(DE\) ; \(DE\) \(\leftrightarrow \) \(IT\) .
- 10.
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Grasso, F., Rulfi, V.L., Caro, L.D. (2024). VerbAligNet: Unlocking Multilingual Exploration of Verbal Arguments. In: Garoufallou, E., Sartori, F. (eds) Metadata and Semantic Research. MTSR 2023. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 2048. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65990-4_1
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