synonyms

   Share on Facebook  
Eagerlearner  #526990  Fri, 13 Jun 08 08:44 PM
Hello, I am doing natural language processing research. I found out at least a dictionary shows that these are synonyms to each other, separated with comma accordingly.

Jakarta, capital of Indonesia
Moscow, capital of the Russian Federation, Russian capital

If we want to refine these synonym relation further, I think we should not consider that "capital of Indonesia" is synonym to "Jakarta" , because if they are synonym to each other , people would not longer need to ask the question, "what is the capital of Indonesia ?" . How agree are you with me ? and what is the relation between that "capital of Indonesia" and  "Jakarta" called ?


William

Thanks
  
Not Ranked
Joined on Wed, Sep 12 2007
New Member (37)
StarrySkies  #527023  Fri, 13 Jun 08 10:28 PM
Interesting question.

I would say thay proper nouns can never be true synonyms. Bob is not a synonym for my brother and Mrs Smith is not a synonym for teacher.

However, your example is different as there is only one Jakarta (to my knowledge). As to the relationship between these words, I would say that capital of Indonesia is the definition of Jakarta.

Or could they be hyponyms? All Jakartas are the capital of Indonesia, and all capitals of Indonesia are Jakarta!
  
Not Ranked
Joined on Thu, Jun 12 2008
United Kingdom
New Member (06)
Clive  #527047  Sat, 14 Jun 08 12:08 AM
Hi,
You might find it interesting to look at the word 'apposition', and its meaning.
Best wishes, Clive
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (21,212)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
CalifJim  #527492  Sun, 15 Jun 08 07:32 AM
Eagerlearner
what is the relation between that "capital of Indonesia" and  "Jakarta" called ?
The two expressions are said to share the same referent.  They are coreferential.

CJ 

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member (16,979)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL Linguistics Discussion Forum
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service