Semantic Role Labeling

22.8 Primitive decomposition

1. What is primitive decomposition (componential analysis)?
   Decomposing word meanings, especially predicates, into primitive semantic elements: KILL(x, y) ⇔ CAUSE(x, BECOME(NOT(ALIVE(y)))).
   • Jurafsky & Martin, Speech and Language Processing, 3rd ed. draft, ch. 22, §22.8, p. 514
2. How does primitive decomposition explain “John opened the door”, “The door opened” and “The door is open”?
   One state predicate OPEN combines with primitives: CAUSE(John, BECOME(OPEN(door))), BECOME(OPEN(door)), OPEN(door).
   • Jurafsky & Martin, Speech and Language Processing, 3rd ed. draft, ch. 22, §22.8, pp. 514–515
3. What is conceptual dependency?
   A more radical decomposition into about ten primitive predicates used in early NLP systems, e.g. ATRANS (abstract transfer of possession), PTRANS (physical transfer), MTRANS (mental transfer), MBUILD, PROPEL, MOVE, INGEST, EXPEL, SPEAK, ATTEND, each with fixed roles. “The waiter brought Mary the check” = ATRANS + PTRANS.
   • Jurafsky & Martin, Speech and Language Processing, 3rd ed. draft, ch. 22, §22.8, p. 515