1. Componential analysis applied to terminology
Life insurance

2. Terminology method componential analysis
a method of semantic analysis
modelled on phonology
isolating the smallest units
phonology : the phoneme (or phonetic feature)
semantics : the seme (or semantic feature)
pioneered by
POTTIER B. (1992),
Sémantique générale. PUF

3. Componential analysis for siège
meuble pour s’asseoir
accoudoirs
dossier
pour une personne
chaise + -
fauteuil
canapé
tabouret

4. implications Each semantic feature is made explicit
by presence (+) or absence (-)
The difference in meaning between words can be expressed by these features

5. thus
Chair is a piece of furniture to sit on [the shared feature for all the words in the group] with a back, without arms and for one person [distinctive features]
Stool is a piece of furniture to sit on without a back or arms for one person
etc…

6. Problems? language specific only works for certain semantic fields
can chairs have arms in English?
only works for certain semantic fields
footware, means of transport, etc.
therefore not a very comprehensive method of semantic analysis
but particularly appropriate for regulated fields (i.e. certain terminologies)

7. Using componential analysis for terminology
Certain fields of terminology can be adequatedly analysed using componential analysis
Manufactured items
Tertiary fields where categories are often implicit
such as insurance

8. Example: analysing the classes of life insurance
extract from a textbook used for first-year students in insurance in Australia
Elements of Law and Insurance, Australian Insurance Institute
Insurances of the Person
There are three main types of cover which insure a person as distinct from a person's property. In principle, these types of insurance provide benefits in the advent of a person's retirement, death or loss of income resulting from an accident or illness. More specifically, the covers are as follows.
Life Insurance
The most basic contracts are: … “

9. Whole of life insurance
The policy benefits of whole of life insurance are payable on the death of the life insured whenever this occurs. Premiums are payable for the entire life or, upon payment of an extra premium. Premiums may cease at say 60 or 65 years, the age of retirement [sic].

10. Endowment insurance
This is a combination of term insurance and pure endowment, the policy proceeds being payable upon the death of the life insured within the specified period, or at the end of that period, say ten, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years, if the life insured survives until the end of the period.

11. Pure endowment insurance
This is the same as endowment insurance except that no death cover is provided. In the event of the death of the person insured before the policy term expires there is usually a refund of premiums with interest. This cover is normally used for people who are not medically acceptable for a cover which includes death.

12. Term insurance
Under a term insurance policy the benefits are payable upon the death of the life insured, provided that death occurs within a specified period. If the life insured survives to the end of the period the cover ceases and no benefits are payable.

13. Confused…? Each definition is drafted differently
Understanding one definition may depend on having understood the others
Which information is necessary to understand the difference between the four sorts of life insurance listed?
Which can be considered ‘background’ information?

14. Solution ? Componential analysis is your friend!
Extract each feature from the definitions
Find the common feature (which will be the hyperonym)
Find all the other features
Determine by comparison which are defining features and which are redundant.

15. Features of term insurance
Under a term insurance policy the benefits are payable upon the death of the life insured, provided that death occurs within a specified period. If the life insured survives to the end of the period the cover ceases and no benefits are payable.
semes/features:
a life insurance policy
benefits payable on death of insured
death must occur within specified period
if not, no benefits!

16. Features of whole of life insurance
The policy benefits of whole of life insurance are payable on the death of the life insured whenever this occurs. Premiums are payable for the entire life or, upon payment of an extra premium, premiums may cease at say 60 or 65 years, the age of retirement.
semes/features
a life insurance policy ? (not stated explicitly)
benefits payable on death of insured
death can occur at any time
therefore there is always a payment of benefits
age(s) when paying premiums may cease

17. with componential analysis
LifeA death spec p insured alive ? premiums medical
Term
Whole ?
Pure E ?
Endowm+ +/- +/- +/-

18. Definitions derived from the table
Term insurance
life insurance (policy) which pays benefits on the death of the insured within a specified period

19. endowment
life insurance which pays benefits if the assured dies within a set period or at the end of the same period if the insured is still alive

20. pure endowment
life insurance which provides benefits at the end of a specified period, provided the insured is still alive

21. whole of life
life insurance (policy) which pays benefits on the death of the insured, whenever this occurs

22. Componential analysis
helps us to
understand the relations between concepts
identify additional information necessary to distinguish concepts
draft immediately comparable definitions
identify other features which may be relevant in other contexts
Eg. how and when premiums are paid for whole of life insurance