Distributional Semantics and Linguistic Theory
arXiv:1905.01896 · doi:10.1146/annurev-linguistics-011619-030303
Abstract
Distributional semantics provides multi-dimensional, graded, empirically induced word representations that successfully capture many aspects of meaning in natural languages, as shown in a large body of work in computational linguistics; yet, its impact in theoretical linguistics has so far been limited. This review provides a critical discussion of the literature on distributional semantics, with an emphasis on methods and results that are of relevance for theoretical linguistics, in three areas: semantic change, polysemy and composition, and the grammar-semantics interface (specifically, the interface of semantics with syntax and with derivational morphology). The review aims at fostering greater cross-fertilization of theoretical and computational approaches to language, as a means to advance our collective knowledge of how it works.
22 pages, 4 figures; preprint version (minor modifications wrt previous version). When citing this article, please use the journal reference: Boleda, G. 2020. Distributional Semantics and Linguistic Theory. Annu. Rev. Linguist. 6:213-34