Semantic Analysis of Corner in English and Spanish

Linguistic Exercise: Defining Corners

3.4.3. Match the definitions to the words.

Definitions:

• 1) Convex area where two edges, sides, or surfaces of something join.
• 2) Concave area where two edges, sides, or surfaces of something join.
• 3) Area where two edges, sides, or surfaces of something join.

Words:

• a) Corner (English)
• b) Esquina (Spanish)
• c) Rincón (Spanish)

Exercise Solutions:

1. Convex area: Esquina
2. Concave area: Rincón
3. General area: Corner

Figure Matching:

• Fig A: Corner / Esquina
• Fig B: Corner / Rincón

Semantic Analysis: Distinctive Features

Discuss the following issue: Is "concave" a distinctive semantic feature (seme) in English? And in Spanish?

According to structuralism, distinctive features are those which help us differentiate the units within the language system. They can belong to any language level, from the phonological to the semantic one. For instance, a phonetic feature can help us differentiate sounds (such as /k/ and /g/, voiceless and voiced alveolar plosives respectively) and even words (minimal pairs like clock and clog).

In order to prove the distinctiveness of a given feature, we can apply a commutation test. This consists of changing that feature for the opposite one and observing whether the sounds or words change in any way. In this case, the analysis focuses on semes—the semantic features into which the meaning of a word can be articulated.

The Seme "Concave" in English and Spanish

As languages are not identical, some of these features might be distinctive in just one language. Concerning the seme "concave", it is only distinctive in Spanish. If we apply the commutation test to the word rincón (the concave area of two surfaces joined together), we observe that the word changes, as the non-concave (convex) area is called esquina in Spanish.

On the other hand, in English, the word corner refers to both the convex and concave areas. Thus, the commutation test would not provoke any changes at all. In sum, the feature "concave" is not distinctive in English, while it is in Spanish.