Lists of word categories

Semantic Range, Lexicography, and other approaches to word meaning - in general, or for particular words.
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Jonathan Robie
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Lists of word categories

Post by Jonathan Robie »

For a lot of queries people are interested in, it would be very helpful to have lists of words by category, eg:
  • Abstract nouns
  • Verbs of perception
  • Verbs of speech
For instance, when someone asks about articular abstract nouns, it would be easy to write queries to find them if I had a list of abstract nouns.

I'd love to have a lexical catalog that classifies words along these lines. Does anyone know of one, perhaps in a book (especially an out-of-copyright book ;->)
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηποροῦντο, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες, τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;
http://jonathanrobie.biblicalhumanities.org/
cwconrad
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Location: Burnsville, NC 28714
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Re: Lists of word categories

Post by cwconrad »

Jonathan Robie wrote:For a lot of queries people are interested in, it would be very helpful to have lists of words by category, eg:
  • Abstract nouns
  • Verbs of perception
  • Verbs of speech
For instance, when someone asks about articular abstract nouns, it would be easy to write queries to find them if I had a list of abstract nouns.

I'd love to have a lexical catalog that classifies words along these lines. Does anyone know of one, perhaps in a book (especially an out-of-copyright book ;->)
Abstract nouns is a broader category, but for perception and speech tt seems like a no-brainer to point to Louw & Nida:
24 Sensory Events and Statesd:

Outline of Subdomains

A See (24.1–24.51)
B Hear (24.52–24.70)
C Smell (24.71)
D Taste (24.72)
E Touch, Feel (24.73–24.76)
F Pain, Suffering (24.77–24.94)
G General Sensory Perception (24.95)
33 Communication

Outline of Subdomains:

A Language (33.1–33.8)
B Word, Passage (33.9–33.10)
C Discourse Types (33.11–33.25)
D Language Levels (33.26–33.34)
E Written Language (33.35–33.68)
F Speak, Talk (33.69–33.108)
G Sing, Lament (33.109–33.116)
H Keep Silent (33.117–33.125)
I Name (33.126–33.133)
J Interpret, Mean, Explain (33.134–33.155)
K Converse, Discuss (33.156–33.160)
L Ask For, Request (33.161–33.177)
M Pray (33.178–33.179)
N Question, Answer (33.180–33.188)
O Inform, Announce (33.189–33.217)
P Assert, Declare (33.218–33.223)
Q Teach (33.224–33.250)
R Speak Truth, Speak Falsehood (33.251–33.255)
S Preach, Proclaim (33.256–33.261)
T Witness, Testify (33.262–33.273)
U Profess Allegiance (33.274)
V Admit, Confess, Deny (33.275–33.277)
W Agree (33.278–33.280)
X Foretell, Tell Fortunes (33.281–33.285)
Y Promise (33.286–33.290)
Z Threaten (33.291–33.293)
A’ Advise (33.294–33.298)
B’ Urge, Persuade (33.299–33.306)
C’ Call (33.307–33.314)
D’ Invite (33.315–33.318)
E’ Insist (33.319–33.322)
F’ Command, Order (33.323–33.332)
G’ Law, Regulation, Ordinance (33.333–33.342)
H’ Recommend, Propose (33.343–33.346)
I’ Intercede (33.347–33.348)
J’ Thanks (33.349–33.353)
K’ Praise (33.354–33.364)
L’ Flatter (33.365–33.367)
M’ Boast (33.368–33.373)
N’ Foolish Talk (33.374–33.381)
O’ Complain (33.382–33.386)
P’ Insult, Slander (33.387–33.403)
Q’ Gossip (33.404–33.405)
R’ Mock, Ridicule (33.406–33.411)
S’ Criticize (33.412–33.416)
T’ Rebuke (33.417–33.422)
U’ Warn (33.423–33.425)
V’ Accuse, Blame (33.426–33.434)
W’ Defend, Excuse (33.435–33.438)
X’ Dispute, Debate (33.439–33.445)
Y’ Argue, Quarrel (33.446–33.454)
Z’ Oppose, Contradict (33.455–33.458)
A” Prophesy (33.459–33.462)
B” Swear, Put Under Oath, Vow (33.463–33.469)
C” Bless, Curse (33.470–33.475)
D” Non-Verbal Communication (33.476–33.489)
οὔτοι ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς πάντα θεοὶ θνητοῖς ὑπέδειξαν,
ἀλλὰ χρόνῳ ζητέοντες ἐφευρίσκουσιν ἄμεινον. (Xenophanes, Fragment 16)

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
Jonathan Robie
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Re: Lists of word categories

Post by Jonathan Robie »

Agreed - that should have been obvious to me.

Aside from Louw and Nida and frequency lists (which are easy to generate), are there other lists of word categories that are particularly helpful?
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηποροῦντο, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες, τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;
http://jonathanrobie.biblicalhumanities.org/
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