2024/06/10 by Naomi Baes, Nick Haslam, Baes, Naomi +3 · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Computation and Language (cs.CL) #Computational and Text Analysis Methods #FOS: Computer and information sciences
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2406.06052
openalex publication_date 2024/06/10 · openalex created_date 2024/06/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Historical linguists have identified multiple forms of lexical semantic change. We present a three-dimensional framework for integrating these forms and a unified computational methodology for evaluating them concurrently. The dimensions represent increases or decreases in semantic 1) sentiment, 2) breadth, and 3) intensity. These dimensions can be complemented by the evaluation of shifts in the frequency of the target words and the thematic content of its collocates. This framework enables lexical semantic change to be mapped economically and systematically and has applications in computational social science. We present an illustrative analysis of semantic shifts in mental health and mental illness in two corpora, demonstrating patterns of semantic change that illuminate contemporary concerns about pathologization, stigma, and concept creep.