4.5 CNT / NAM / MOD / POF / POS

4.5.1 CNT (Content)
Definition:  Cnt defines an equivalent concept

This relation links UWs that are equivalent.

Example 1

Example 2

In example 1 and 2, since "UNL" is the abbreviation for "Universal Networking Language", both express completely equivalent meaning, in UNL, the relation between this kind of UW's is using "cnt".

In case of "deconverter" and "language generator", "deconverter" is an invented new word in UNL system for expressing the meaning of "language generator", they are in equivalent relation and the relation between them is "cnt" in UNL too.

4.5.2 NAM  (Name)
Definition:  Nam defines a name of a thing

Relation nam is used between a thing and its name (a label) when the name modifies the thing. The point here is that relation "nam" must point at a label of name. In the following, example 1 and 2 are the examples of using "nam", 3 never uses it  and 4 has several representations.

Example 1

Example 2

How about "Tokyo is a large city"?

The relation between "Tokyo" and "city" here should be "aoj" since "Tokyo" is used as a thing (city) but not a label of name.

Example3

How about "Tower of Babel"?

There are four possible UNL expressions for it:

Using "nam" showing that "Babel" is the name of the "tower", in this case "Babel" is treated as a label of name. 
Using "pos" showing that the "tower" belongs to "Babel", in this case the "Babel" is treated as an organization. 
Using "plc" showing that the "tower" is in "Babel", in this case the "Babel" is treated as a place. And the last one is using "mod" showing that the "tower" has some relations with "Babel", in this case the "Babel" is treated as a thing which may be an organization or a place.

Each writer will choose one of the possibilities depending on the their understanding.

Example4

4.5.3 MOD  (Modification)
Definition:  Mod defines a thing which restrict a focused thing

Relation mod is used between a thing and its restriction. For example, "guest house" and "this house".

Example1

Example2

Comments on example2

As UNL1 and UNL2 shown, when an adjective modifies a noun in a noun phrase like "red hair".
It is possible to use both relations ("aoj" and "mod"). If "aoj" is used, the UNL expression should be:

"aoj (adjective, noun)", 

If it is "mod", the UNL expression will be 

 "mod (noun, adjective)".

Sometimes it is impossible to use "aoj". A simple way to distinguish whether "aoj" may be to check if a noun phrase "modifier noun" is possible to say in the way of "noun is modifier" without changing its meaning. Then  "aoj" is possible, otherwise should be "mod", for example "guest house".

Example3

Example4

Comments on Example 3 & 4

When an UW which corresponding to a noun of English expresses an event or a state, such as "(my) stay" or "absence", relation modifier "mod" is used between it and its modifier. In UW dictionary, the restricted UWs for them are defined as "stay(icl>event)" and "absence(icl>state)".

When an UW which corresponding to a verb or an adjective of English expresses an event or a state, such as "(I) stay" or "absent", relation agent "agt" or "aoj" is used between it and its agent or object. In UW dictionary, the restricted UWs for them are defined as "stay(icl>do)" and "absent(icl>be)".

Compare 3 and 4 with 5 and 6.

Example5

Example6

4.5.4 POF   (Part-of)
Definition: Pof defines a concept of which a focused thing is a part

Relation "pof" is used to denote a part of a body (understood as a whole non-volitional thing). For example "the rear seat of a car" and "the wings of an airplane" will use "pof", but "my hands" will not.

Example

4.5.5 POS  (Possessor)
Definition: Pos defines possessor of a thing

Relation "pos" is used to denote possession but not of a part of a body (understood as a whole non-volitional thing). For example "his car", "his brown hair, and "company's building" will use "pos".

Example

Last updated : 2000/09/21