Abstract: Classic cases of homonyms are uncontroversial: “bank” can mean a financial institution or the side of a river. However, when we look at either of these meanings with more resolution, the story gets blurry. “Bank” can refer to the building keeping money or the corporate institution that owns the building. In this talk, I will explore this phenomena of multiple related meanings, or polysemy and what lexicography can or cannot tell us about metasemantics.

As usual, the seminar will take place in Edgecliffe, room G03, 12-2pm.