Challenges of FrameNet: The case of motion verbs in Persian

Abstract

In this article, we intend to examine the transferability of parts of English FrameNet to other languages, specifi cally Persian. To accomplish this task, we consider the concept of motion due to its significance in cross-linguistic studies and its diff erent lexicalization patterns in typologically diverse languages. In this regard, we investigate the challenges that diff erent features of the Persian language and particularly the diff erence in the way of expressing motion events in this language make for the compatibility of English FrameNet with Persian FrameNet. Focusing on Persian motion verbs, we try to determine the extent to which it is possible to transfer diff erent components of English FrameNet — including semantic frames, coreness and peripherality status of frame elements, syntactic and semantic structures and frame-to-frame relations — to other languages. The results suggest that English FrameNet is prone to incompatibility due to the lack of systematicity in the specifi cation of frames and frame-to-frame relations. Moreover, diff erent polysemy patterns, the presence of the same word as diff erent lexical units, various syntactic alternations of lexical units, diff erent levels of importance of frame elements in lexicalization in various languages, the tendency of some languages like Persian to form compounds as well as the impact of culture make challenges for the transferability of English FrameNet to other languages.