Student's Independent Work 8

Practical tasks for the topic "Frame Semantics"

Task 1: Conceptual Structure is Embodied

Objective: To identify and describe the semantic frame associated with a given word.

In this task, you will explore the concept of semantic frames—a central idea in frame semantics which
posits that the meaning of a word is better understood in the context of a related set of concepts and
relations. Your goal is to identify and articulate the semantic frame that emerges when certain words are
used.

Choose a set of words (e.g., "buy," "sell," "trade," "market").

For each word, describe the semantic frame that it evokes. Consider the following:
What are the essential elements of the frame? (For "buy," elements might include a buyer, seller, item
being sold, currency, etc.)
What scenarios or situations are typically associated with this word?
How do the meanings of these words denote different parts of a commercial transaction frame?

Set 1: Prescribe
Apologize Operate Set 8:
Congratulate Invest
Comfort Set 5: Negotiate
Offend Pollute Merge
Conserve Liquidate
Set 2: Harvest
Accuse Erode Set 9:
Defend Attack
Judge Set 6: Negotiate
Sentence Processes Surrender
Program Mediate
Set 3: Download
Teach Upgrade Set 10:
Study Sync Activities
Explain Campaign
Graduate Set 7: Elect
Paint Protest
Set 4: Compose Govern
Heal Sculpt
Infect Choreograph

Task 2: Comprehension Through Frames

Background for Task

Understanding a narrative requires recognizing the frames activated by particular words or phrases. These
frames help us to fill in details that are not explicitly stated, allowing us to make inferences about the text
and understand the story in a richer context.

Objective: to illustrate the role of frames in comprehending written text, you will read the following short
story and identify the frames that are necessary to understand it. You'll need to consider what knowledge is
brought to mind that is not directly described and how this helps you make sense of the story.
Short Story
In the dim light of dawn, Jenna laced up her ancient running shoes, the rubber soles worn down from miles
of faithful service. With a gentle click, she started her stopwatch and set off, her breath visible in the crisp
morning air. The park was deserted, save for the occasional dog walker and the soft cooing of pigeons. She
passed the old elm tree, its branches a testament to countless seasons. Rounding the duck pond, her mind
replayed the pending merger negotiations, a stark contrast to her tranquil surroundings. By the time she
looped back to the starting point, her thoughts were clear. She was ready to take on the day, armed with
the clarity that only a morning run could provide.

Instructions for the Task:

1. Read the short story carefully.

2. Identify words or phrases that trigger specific frames (for example, "running shoes" might trigger a
frame that includes exercise, health, and routine).
3. List the frames you identify and briefly describe the elements and scenarios they evoke.
4. Explain how these frames aid in understanding the text beyond its literal meaning (consider the
emotional tone, the background of the character, or the setting of the story).
5. Discuss how prior knowledge about these frames informs the assumptions you make about the story
(such as why Jenna might be running and what the implications of a "pending merger" are).
6. Reflect on how these frames contribute to a deeper comprehension of Jenna's character and her morning
routine.

Task 3: Frame Perspective Analysis

Objective: To analyze how different frames can impose different perspectives on the same event.

1. Choose an event to consider:

1) An International Summit
2) A Public Health Campaign for Vaccination
3) A New Public Transportation Line Being Built
4) Introduction of Autonomous Vehicles
5) Neighborhood Park Renovation
6) Introduction of School Uniforms
7) Opening of a New Supermarket
8) Mandatory Recycling Program Initiated by the City
9) High School Implements a No-Phones Policy
10) A Major Factory Closure
11) The Introduction of a Controversial Education Curriculum
12) A High-Profile Celebrity Divorce
13) The Launch of a New Cryptocurrency
14) A Large-Scale Renewable Energy Project
15) The Banning of Plastic Bags in a City
2. Describe the event from the perspective of two different frames
3. Discuss how these frames impose different interpretations and perspectives on the event.
4. Reflect on how these frames might reflect different cultural practices or viewpoints.

Example:
1. Event: Protest
A protest can be a public demonstration by a group of people expressing their opposition to, or
support of, a cause, policy, or idea. Protests can take many forms, from peaceful marches and sit-ins to
more disruptive actions.
2. Law Enforcement Frame vs. Civil Rights Frame
- Law Enforcement Frame: From this perspective, the primary focus is on maintaining public
order and safety. A protest is seen as a potential disruption that could lead to traffic problems, property
damage, or even violence. Law enforcement officials may view the protest in terms of risk management,
considering the necessary personnel and strategies to contain and control the crowd. The framing here
is often about the logistics of policing — setting up barriers, monitoring protester actions, and making
arrests if laws are broken.
- Civil Rights Frame: In contrast, the civil rights perspective emphasizes the protest as an
expression of fundamental democratic rights and a necessary means of voicing dissent. This frame
highlights the importance of the right to assembly, free speech, and the desire for social change. It
views the protest not as a disruption, but as a legitimate form of civic engagement and a powerful tool
for marginalized groups to be heard and affect policy.
3. Different Interpretations and Perspectives
The law enforcement frame might interpret a protest as a potential threat to order, focusing on how it
could go wrong and the measures needed to prevent chaos. The emphasis is on control, adherence to
rules, and often on the inconveniences or dangers a protest might pose to society.
The civil rights frame, however, interprets the same protest as a positive expression of democratic
engagement, focusing on the issues at hand and the protesters' rights. It emphasizes the importance of
public discourse, the impact of collective action, and the moral imperative to challenge unjust systems.
4. Cultural Practices or Viewpoints
These frames can reflect broader cultural practices and values. A society that values order and
stability above all else might lean towards the law enforcement frame, while one that prioritizes
individual freedoms and democratic expression might sympathize more with the civil rights frame.
Cultural backgrounds also play a role in framing these events. For example, in societies with a
history of oppressive regimes, protests might be seen primarily through a civil rights frame as a
necessary act of resistance. In contrast, in societies that have experienced violent uprisings, the
collective memory might lead to a preference for the law enforcement frame to ensure such events
remain peaceful.
Moreover, personal experiences, historical context, media portrayal, and political climate can also
influence how individuals within the same society perceive a protest, demonstrating the complex
interplay between frames and cultural practices.

Task 4: Frames in Cultural Context

Objective: To examine how frames can be culturally contested and reflect different viewpoints.

1. Select a culturally loaded term (e.g., "freedom," “globalization”, “feminism”, “climate change”,
“immigration”).
2. Identify the frame or frames associated with this term.
3. Discuss how different cultural or social groups might contest the meaning of this term and the
associated frame(s).
4. Analyze a real-life example (like a news article) where this term is used, identifying how the frame

Example:
1. Selected Culturally Loaded Term - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2. Identified Frames Associated with Artificial Intelligence:
- Technological Innovation Frame: AI as a driver of progress, efficiency, and futuristic
advancement.
- Economic Opportunity Frame: AI as a means to create new markets, job opportunities, and
economic growth.
- Ethical Dilemma Frame: AI posing questions about morality, decision-making, and the role of
machines in society.
 - Employment Disruption Frame: AI as a threat to traditional jobs and the displacement of the
human workforce.
- Surveillance and Privacy Frame: AI in the context of data collection, monitoring, and the
potential for invasion of privacy.
- Existential Risk Frame: Concerns about AI leading to scenarios where machines surpass human
intelligence with unpredictable outcomes.

3. Contestation of Meaning by Different Cultural or Social Groups:

- Tech Industry Professionals: May emphasize the Technological Innovation Frame, viewing AI as
an opportunity for growth, a tool to solve complex problems, and a stepping stone towards a smarter
future.
- Labor Unions and Workers: Might focus on the Employment Disruption Frame, arguing that AI
risks job security and could lead to mass unemployment in certain sectors.
- Ethicists and Social Activists: Likely to stress the Ethical Dilemma Frame, raising concerns
about algorithmic bias, the moral status of AI, and the need for responsible AI governance.
- Privacy Advocates: Tend to highlight the Surveillance and Privacy Frame, focusing on the risks
of AI in terms of data misuse and loss of personal privacy.
- AI Researchers and Futurists: Some may lean into the Existential Risk Frame, debating the long-
term implications of AI and the potential need for AI alignment with human values to prevent
unfavorable outcomes.

4. Real-life Example Analysis:

- Let's consider a hypothetical news article about the deployment of AI in public healthcare to predict
patient illness patterns.
- Article's Use of AI: The article might adopt the Technological Innovation Frame, discussing how
AI can revolutionize healthcare by predicting outbreaks, personalizing treatment plans, and managing
resources more effectively.
- Writer's Perspective: The writer might emphasize the potential for AI to save lives and reduce
healthcare costs, painting a positive picture of technological advancement.
- Contested Viewpoints: However, readers and experts concerned about data privacy might contest
this framing. They would argue that the Surveillance and Privacy Frame is underrepresented, pointing
out the risks associated with data handling and the potential misuse of sensitive health information.
- Cultural Reflection: The framing in the article could reflect a culture that prioritizes
technological progress and efficiency, possibly at the expense of personal privacy. The contested
viewpoints might arise from groups that value individual rights and are wary of technology's reach into
personal liberties.
In conclusion, the term "Artificial Intelligence" is multi-faceted and can be framed in numerous ways,
each reflecting different priorities, hopes, and concerns. The debate around AI is a clear example of
how a single term can embody a wide array of cultural tensions and expectations.