Degree

Degree is a category normally used to specify the extent of a comparison between adjectives or adverbs, such as comparative and superlative. In UNL, it is also used to represent the value of specifier adverbs.

Natural language

In the UNLarium, degree must be informed only when expressed by morphological means, such as in "bigger" and "biggest".
The values of the degree are the following:

{{#tree:id=nl_degree|openlevels=0|root=Degree (DEG)|

• positive (PST): no comparison
• comparative (CMP): comparison between two
• superlative (SUP): comparison between more than two
  • comparative superlative (SUPR)
  • absolute superlative (SUPA)
• diminutive (DIM): used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment
• augmentative (AUG): expresses greater intensity, often in size, but also in other attributes (opposite of a diminutive)

}}

The positive is the default value and may be omitted.

Examples

• Positive (PST): big, good, bad
• Comparative (CMP): bigger, better, worse
• Superlative (SUP): biggest, best, worst
• Diminutive (DIM):
• Augmentative (AUG):

UNL

In UNL, degree is to be represented by attributes:

{{#tree:id=unl_degree|openlevels=0|root=Degree|

• @not: negative
  • @almost: approximative
• positive
  • @again: iterative
  • @emphasis: emphasis
  • @enough: sufficiently (enough)
  • @extra: excessively (too)
  • @minus: downtoned (a little)
  • @plus: intensified (very)
• comparative
  • @more: comparative of superiority
  • @less: comparative of inferiority
  • @equal: comparative of equality
• superlative
  • @most: superlative of superiority
  • @least: superlative of inferiority

}}

The basis for the comparison is expressed by the relation 'bas'.

more <A> than <B> = bas(A.@more, B)

less <A> than <B> = bas(A.@less, B)

as <A> as <B> = bas(A.@equal, B)

Degree attributes may be combined

very much happier = happy.@more.@plus

Examples

• X is more fascinating than Y = aoj(fascinating.@more, X), bas(fascinating.@more, Y)
• X is better than Y = aoj(good.@more, X), bas(good.@more, Y)
• X is less fascinating than Y = aoj(fascinating.@less, X), bas(fascinating.@less, Y)
• X is worse than Y = aoj(good.@less, X), bas(good.@less, Y)
• X is as fascinating as Y = aoj(fascinating.@equal, X), bas(fascinating.@equal, Y)
• X is the most fascinating of the Ys = aoj(fascinating.@most, X), bas(fascinating.@most, Y)
• X is the best of the Ys = aoj(good.@most, X), bas(good.@most, Y)
• X is the least fascinating of the Ys = aoj(fascinating.@least, X), bas(fascinating.@least, Y)
• X is the worst of the Ys = aoj(good.@least, X), bas(good.@least, Y)
• X is not so fascinating as Y = aoj(fascinating.@less, X), bas(fascinating.@less, Y)