Qu'est-ce que la sémantique peut dire du sens lexical ?

Résumé 0

This paper reviews the primary questions raised by lexical Semantics on the basis of the artefact noun livre « book ». Lexical Semantics must account for the unity of the meaning of a given sign, as well as for the ways in which this meaning explains the relation to other signs, to contextual interpretations and to reference. The tension between unity and diversity can be resolved by the view according to which lexical Semantics crystallises the relation between the subject and the object, rather than the objective properties of the object in question. After providing arguments in favour of that view, it is used to propose that a book is an artefact made for reading. Why this proposal accounts for the extent of unexpected uses is considered. How the other contributions to this special issue address the questions of unity, diversity of interpretation and relations between signs is discussed.