Lexicography and Database Management

The video discusses the complexity of the English language due to its many synonyms and how databases use controlled vocabularies to manage this complexity. It explains how a thesaurus can establish hierarchical relationships between terms and highlights the importance of related terms in database searches. An example using coffee illustrates these concepts.

Why is it challenging for computers to comprehend all synonyms in the English language?

• Synonyms are not used in databases.

• Computers cannot understand human language.

• There are too many words for computers to process quickly.

• Computers have limited memory.

What is the main challenge with using synonyms in databases?

• They are not recognized by databases.

• They require translation into multiple languages.

• They increase the number of search results.

• They make it difficult for computers to process quickly.

What is the role of lexicographers in managing databases?

• They create new words.

• They design user interfaces.

• They impose a controlled vocabulary.

• They translate languages.

How does a controlled vocabulary simplify database searches?

• By using one term per concept.

• By eliminating synonyms.

• By translating all terms to English.

• By categorizing terms alphabetically.

In the context of databases, what does the term 'coffee' represent?

• A general concept for all coffee-related terms.

• A brand of coffee.

• A specific type of coffee bean.

• A beverage category.

What is a thesaurus in the context of databases?

• A database of coffee types.

• A book of synonyms.

• A tool for translating languages.

• A system that shows hierarchical relationships between terms.

What is the relationship between 'coffee' and 'beverages' in a thesaurus?

• 'Coffee' is a broader term.

• 'Beverages' is a narrower term.

• 'Coffee' is a narrower term.

• 'Beverages' is a related term.

What does a broader term indicate in a thesaurus?

• It has more information.

• It is a more general category.

• It is a synonym.

• It is less important.

Do broader-narrower term relationships affect the amount of information in a database?

• No, they only affect search speed.

• Yes, narrower terms have less information.

• No, they do not affect the amount of information.

• Yes, broader terms have more information.

What is the purpose of hierarchical relationships in a thesaurus?

• To show the amount of information available.

• To categorize terms by importance.

• To organize terms by generality.

• To translate terms into other languages.