Majid, Boster & Bowerman (2008)

@cite{majid-boster-bowerman-2008}

The cross-linguistic categorization of everyday events: A study of cutting and breaking. Cognition 109(2), 235–250.

Core Contributions

28 typologically diverse languages, 61 video clips depicting "cutting and breaking" events. Correspondence analysis reveals 4 shared dimensions along which languages categorize these events:

• Dim 1: Predictability of the locus of separation (continuous, most important). Sharp instruments on yielding objects → predictable (= "cutting"); blunt instruments or hands → unpredictable (= "breaking"). NOTE: This dimension is continuous in the original correspondence analysis; our three-valued discretization (high/intermediate/low) is a simplification.
• Dim 2: Tearing. Hand-tear of cloth consistently distinguished from both cutting and breaking across 10/28 languages.
• Dim 3: Snap vs smash. Among low-predictability events: snapping (pressure from both ends on 1D rigid object) vs smashing (blow from hammer on 3D rigid object).
• Dim 4: Poke a hole. Poking a hole in stretched cloth with a twig.

Languages share the dimensionality but vary in how many categories they carve and where they place boundaries.

Integration with linglib

The 4 dimensions project onto existing RootProfile features:

Dimension	Projects onto
Dim 1 (predictability)	instrumentType × patientRob (derived)
Dim 2 (tearing)	resultType == .separation ∧ instrumentType == .hands
Dim 3 (snap/smash)	forceDir (bidirectional vs omnidirectional)
Dim 4 (poke hole)	specific event type

Bridge theorems connect to LevinClass and MeaningComponents:

• @cite{levin-1993}'s cut/break distinction (±contact, ±instrumentSpec) corresponds to the endpoints of Dimension 1
• @cite{hale-keyser-1987}'s "separation in material integrity" is the shared superordinate category that both cut and break belong to

Design

SeparationEvent is a point in the same feature space that RootProfile defines regions over. A verb is compatible with an event iff the event's feature values fall within the verb root's ranges. This captures the many-to-many mapping between events and verbs that varies across languages.

structure Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent : Type

A separation event characterized by physical properties of the action, instrument, and affected object.

This is the stimulus level: each value is a specific point, not a range. Corresponds to a single video clip in the experiment. Verb roots select ranges over these same dimensions (via RootProfile).

• instrument : InstrumentType

  Instrument used to effect separation.

• objectDim : ObjectDimensionality

  Dimensionality of the affected object.

• objectRob : Robustness

  Material robustness of the affected object.

• result : ResultType

  Physical result type.

• force : ForceLevel

  Force magnitude.

• forceDir : ForceDirection

  Force directionality.

• reversible : Bool

  Is the separation reversible (can the object be reassembled)?

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqSeparationEvent.decEq (x✝ x✝¹ : SeparationEvent) : Decidable (x✝ = x✝¹)

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instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqSeparationEvent : DecidableEq SeparationEvent

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqSeparationEvent = Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqSeparationEvent.decEq

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqSeparationEvent.beq : SeparationEvent → SeparationEvent → Bool

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqSeparationEvent.beq x✝¹ x✝ = false

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqSeparationEvent : BEq SeparationEvent

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqSeparationEvent = { beq := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqSeparationEvent.beq }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprSeparationEvent.repr : SeparationEvent → ℕ → Std.Format

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instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprSeparationEvent : Repr SeparationEvent

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprSeparationEvent = { reprPrec := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprSeparationEvent.repr }

Encodings of representative clips from the appendix. Clip numbers follow @cite{majid-boster-bowerman-2008} Appendix (pp. 248–249). We encode a representative subset spanning all 4 dimensions rather than all 61 clips.

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip09_sliceCarrot : SeparationEvent

Clip 9: Slice carrot lengthwise into two pieces with knife. High predictability (sharp blade, rigid 1D object).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip10_sliceCarrotCross : SeparationEvent

Clip 10: Slice carrot crosswise into multiple pieces with knife.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip24_cutRope : SeparationEvent

Clip 24: Cut rope in two with scissors. High predictability (sharp blade, 1D object).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip32_karateCarrot : SeparationEvent

Clip 32: Cut carrot in half crosswise with single karate chop. Intermediate predictability (hand, but directed blow).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip01_tearCloth : SeparationEvent

Clip 1: Tear cloth into two pieces by hand. Tearing event (Dimension 2).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip36_tearClothHalf : SeparationEvent

Clip 36: Tear cloth about halfway through with two hands.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip19_snapTwig : SeparationEvent

Clip 19: Snap twig with two hands. Snapping event (Dimension 3).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip57_snapCarrot : SeparationEvent

Clip 57: Snap carrot with two hands.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip39_smashPot : SeparationEvent

Clip 39: Smash flower pot with single hammer blow. Smashing event (Dimension 3).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip40_smashPlate : SeparationEvent

Clip 40: Smash plate with single hammer blow.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip53_breakStick : SeparationEvent

Clip 53: Break stick in two with single downward chisel blow. A chisel is sharp-edged but used ballistically (single blow), giving intermediate predictability — the sharp edge partially constrains the locus of separation but the ballistic delivery reduces control.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip45_pokeHole : SeparationEvent

Clip 45: Poke hole in cloth stretched between two tables with a twig. Distinguished on Dimension 4. A twig is a pointed implement but not a sharp blade — it breaches the material through puncture, not clean cutting.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip07_pushChair : SeparationEvent

Clip 7: Push chair back from table (reversible separation).

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.clip33_openBook : SeparationEvent

Clip 33: Open a book (reversible separation).

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inductive Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.Predictability : Type

Predictability of the locus of separation (Dimension 1).

The most important dimension cross-linguistically. Events where the agent has precise control over where separation occurs (sharp blade on a yielding surface) are "cutting"; events where the locus is unpredictable (blow from a hammer, snapping by hand) are "breaking".

This is a derived property, not a primitive — it emerges from the interaction of instrument type, object properties, and manner.

• high : Predictability
• intermediate : Predictability
• low : Predictability

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqPredictability : DecidableEq Predictability

Equations

• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqPredictability x✝ y✝ = if h : x✝.ctorIdx = y✝.ctorIdx then isTrue ⋯ else isFalse ⋯

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqPredictability : BEq Predictability

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqPredictability = { beq := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqPredictability.beq }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqPredictability.beq : Predictability → Predictability → Bool

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqPredictability.beq x✝ y✝ = (x✝.ctorIdx == y✝.ctorIdx)

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprPredictability.repr : Predictability → ℕ → Std.Format

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instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprPredictability : Repr Predictability

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprPredictability = { reprPrec := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprPredictability.repr }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.predictability (e : SeparationEvent) : Predictability

Compute predictability from event features.

Predictability emerges from the interaction of instrument, force, and manner — not from instrument alone. A sharp blade used with controlled motion yields high predictability, but the same blade used ballistically (e.g., a chisel struck with a single blow) yields only intermediate predictability. The paper emphasizes that Dimension 1 is continuous and "not adequately captured by any single feature."

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inductive Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.BreakSubtype : Type

Break subtypes within the low-predictability cluster (Dimension 3).

Among events with unpredictable separation, languages further distinguish snapping (pressure from both ends breaks a rigid 1D object) from smashing (a blow fragments a rigid 3D object).

• snapping : BreakSubtype
• smashing : BreakSubtype
• other : BreakSubtype

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqBreakSubtype : DecidableEq BreakSubtype

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqBreakSubtype x✝ y✝ = if h : x✝.ctorIdx = y✝.ctorIdx then isTrue ⋯ else isFalse ⋯

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqBreakSubtype.beq : BreakSubtype → BreakSubtype → Bool

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqBreakSubtype.beq x✝ y✝ = (x✝.ctorIdx == y✝.ctorIdx)

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqBreakSubtype : BEq BreakSubtype

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqBreakSubtype = { beq := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqBreakSubtype.beq }

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprBreakSubtype : Repr BreakSubtype

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprBreakSubtype = { reprPrec := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprBreakSubtype.repr }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprBreakSubtype.repr : BreakSubtype → ℕ → Std.Format

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.breakSubtype (e : SeparationEvent) : BreakSubtype

Classify break subtype for low-predictability events.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.isTearing (e : SeparationEvent) : Bool

Is this a tearing event? (Dimension 2) Tearing = hand separation of a flat flexible object.

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.isMaterialDestruction (e : SeparationEvent) : Bool

Is this a "cutting and breaking" event (irreversible material destruction) as opposed to a reversible separation? (Dimension 1 of the first correspondence analysis, before restricting to core cut/break events.)

Equations

• e.isMaterialDestruction = !e.reversible

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.isPokingHole (e : SeparationEvent) : Bool

Is this a hole-poking event? (Dimension 4)

Poking a hole in a flat flexible object — distinguished from cutting and breaking because the object is not separated into pieces. The paper notes this emerged as a distinct cluster in 5/28 languages. Our encoding uses .none instrument for the twig since InstrumentType lacks a .pointed variant; the diagnostic feature is the combination of surface breach + 2D flexible object.

Equations

• e.isPokingHole = (e.result == ResultType.surfaceBreach && e.objectDim == ObjectDimensionality.twoD && e.objectRob == Robustness.flimsy)

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.SeparationEvent.compatibleWith (e : SeparationEvent) (r : RootProfile) : Bool

Is a separation event compatible with a verb root's profile?

An event is compatible iff each of its feature values falls within the root's range for that dimension. Unconstrained dimensions (range = none) accept any value.

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theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_high_predictability : clip09_sliceCarrot.predictability = Predictability.high

Slicing a carrot with a knife has high predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.cutRope_high_predictability : clip24_cutRope.predictability = Predictability.high

Cutting rope with scissors has high predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.karateCarrot_intermediate : clip32_karateCarrot.predictability = Predictability.intermediate

Karate-chopping a carrot has intermediate predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snapTwig_low_predictability : clip19_snapTwig.predictability = Predictability.low

Snapping a twig has low predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smashPot_low_predictability : clip39_smashPot.predictability = Predictability.low

Smashing a pot has low predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tearCloth_is_tearing : clip01_tearCloth.isTearing = true

Tearing cloth is classified as tearing (Dimension 2).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snapTwig_not_tearing : clip19_snapTwig.isTearing = false

Snapping a twig is not tearing.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snapTwig_is_snapping : clip19_snapTwig.breakSubtype = BreakSubtype.snapping

Snapping a twig is classified as snapping (Dimension 3).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smashPot_is_smashing : clip39_smashPot.breakSubtype = BreakSubtype.smashing

Smashing a pot is classified as smashing (Dimension 3).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.pushChair_reversible : clip07_pushChair.isMaterialDestruction = false

Reversible events (push chair, open book) are not material destruction.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.openBook_reversible : clip33_openBook.isMaterialDestruction = false

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_irreversible : clip09_sliceCarrot.isMaterialDestruction = true

Cutting events are material destruction (irreversible).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.pokeHole_is_poking : clip45_pokeHole.isPokingHole = true

Poking a hole in cloth is a hole-poking event (Dimension 4).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_not_poking : clip09_sliceCarrot.isPokingHole = false

Cutting a carrot is NOT a hole-poking event.

Consistency checks for paired clips. Clips depicting the same event type with different objects should receive the same dimension classifications.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_cross_consistent : clip10_sliceCarrotCross.predictability = clip09_sliceCarrot.predictability

Slicing carrot crosswise ≡ lengthwise in predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tearClothHalf_consistent : clip36_tearClothHalf.isTearing = clip01_tearCloth.isTearing

Tearing cloth halfway ≡ fully in tearing classification.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snapCarrot_consistent : clip57_snapCarrot.breakSubtype = clip19_snapTwig.breakSubtype

Snapping carrot ≡ snapping twig in break subtype.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smashPlate_consistent : clip40_smashPlate.breakSubtype = clip39_smashPot.breakSubtype

Smashing plate ≡ smashing pot in break subtype.

inductive Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.EnglishCBVerb : Type

English cutting-and-breaking verb categories.

English has 5 basic categories for material destruction events (plus open, take apart for reversible separations): cut, break, tear, snap, smash.

• cut : EnglishCBVerb
• break_ : EnglishCBVerb
• tear : EnglishCBVerb
• snap : EnglishCBVerb
• smash : EnglishCBVerb

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqEnglishCBVerb : DecidableEq EnglishCBVerb

Equations

• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqEnglishCBVerb x✝ y✝ = if h : x✝.ctorIdx = y✝.ctorIdx then isTrue ⋯ else isFalse ⋯

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqEnglishCBVerb.beq : EnglishCBVerb → EnglishCBVerb → Bool

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqEnglishCBVerb.beq x✝ y✝ = (x✝.ctorIdx == y✝.ctorIdx)

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqEnglishCBVerb : BEq EnglishCBVerb

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqEnglishCBVerb = { beq := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqEnglishCBVerb.beq }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprEnglishCBVerb.repr : EnglishCBVerb → ℕ → Std.Format

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instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprEnglishCBVerb : Repr EnglishCBVerb

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprEnglishCBVerb = { reprPrec := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprEnglishCBVerb.repr }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.englishVerb (e : SeparationEvent) : EnglishCBVerb

English verb assignment for core cutting-and-breaking events.

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inductive Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.YeliDnyeCBVerb : Type

Yélî Dnye (Papuan isolate, Rossel Island) verb categories.

@cite{majid-boster-bowerman-2008}: Yélî Dnye speakers used only 3 different verbs for the 61 clips, yet their categorization still correlates with the 4 cross-linguistic dimensions. Demonstrates that even languages with minimal verb inventories respect the shared dimensional structure.

The paper reports category count (3 verbs) and how they partition the stimulus space but does not list the specific verb forms. We use abstract labels (v1/v2/v3) for the three categories.

Limitation: The paper reports (p. 242) that the YD verb for tearing was also used for carrot-cutting events (clips 37, 9) that depict separation along the grain. This grouping principle (grain-alignment) is not captured by our predictability-based model. Our SeparationEvent does not encode grain alignment, so yeliDnyeVerb incorrectly assigns along-the-grain cutting to v1 rather than v3. See yeliDnye_grain_limitation.

• v1 : YeliDnyeCBVerb
• v2 : YeliDnyeCBVerb
• v3 : YeliDnyeCBVerb

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqYeliDnyeCBVerb : DecidableEq YeliDnyeCBVerb

Equations

• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instDecidableEqYeliDnyeCBVerb x✝ y✝ = if h : x✝.ctorIdx = y✝.ctorIdx then isTrue ⋯ else isFalse ⋯

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqYeliDnyeCBVerb.beq : YeliDnyeCBVerb → YeliDnyeCBVerb → Bool

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqYeliDnyeCBVerb.beq x✝ y✝ = (x✝.ctorIdx == y✝.ctorIdx)

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqYeliDnyeCBVerb : BEq YeliDnyeCBVerb

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqYeliDnyeCBVerb = { beq := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instBEqYeliDnyeCBVerb.beq }

instance Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprYeliDnyeCBVerb : Repr YeliDnyeCBVerb

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• Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprYeliDnyeCBVerb = { reprPrec := Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprYeliDnyeCBVerb.repr }

def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.instReprYeliDnyeCBVerb.repr : YeliDnyeCBVerb → ℕ → Std.Format

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def Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.yeliDnyeVerb (e : SeparationEvent) : YeliDnyeCBVerb

Yélî Dnye verb assignment (approximate, based on reported categorization patterns in the correspondence analysis).

This model uses predictability as the primary split, which captures the overall pattern but misses the grain-alignment grouping (see YeliDnyeCBVerb docstring).

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Tzeltal (Mayan) has the most fine-grained inventory in the sample: speakers used 50+ different verbs for the 61 clips (p. 243). Despite this extreme specificity, Tzeltal's categorization still correlates with the 4 shared dimensions — the dimensions are robust to both very coarse (Yélî Dnye, 3 verbs) and very fine (Tzeltal, 50+ verbs) inventories. We do not model Tzeltal verb assignment because the paper does not provide sufficient data on individual verb-to-clip mappings for 50+ verbs.

All three languages agree on the superordinate cut/break boundary (Dimension 1): high-predictability events get a "cutting" verb, low-predictability events get a "breaking" verb. The languages differ in how finely they subdivide the breaking domain.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.slice_is_cutting_EN : englishVerb clip09_sliceCarrot = EnglishCBVerb.cut

English and Yélî Dnye agree: slicing a carrot is "cutting".

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.slice_is_cutting_YD : yeliDnyeVerb clip09_sliceCarrot = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v1

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smash_is_breaking_EN : englishVerb clip39_smashPot = EnglishCBVerb.smash

English and Yélî Dnye agree: smashing a pot is "breaking".

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smash_is_breaking_YD : yeliDnyeVerb clip39_smashPot = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v2

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tear_distinct_EN : englishVerb clip01_tearCloth = EnglishCBVerb.tear

English distinguishes tearing from breaking; Yélî Dnye groups tearing with snapping (both involve hand action).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tear_grouped_YD : yeliDnyeVerb clip01_tearCloth = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v3

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snap_distinct_EN : englishVerb clip19_snapTwig = EnglishCBVerb.snap

English distinguishes snapping from general breaking.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snap_grouped_YD : yeliDnyeVerb clip19_snapTwig = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v3

Yélî Dnye groups snapping with tearing (both hand actions).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.cut_cluster_matches_levin_cut : MeaningComponents.cut.changeOfState = true ∧ MeaningComponents.cut.contact = true ∧ MeaningComponents.cut.motion = true ∧ MeaningComponents.cut.causation = true ∧ MeaningComponents.cut.instrumentSpec = true

High-predictability events correspond to Levin's cut class meaning components: change of state + contact + motion + causation

• instrument specification.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.break_cluster_matches_levin_break : MeaningComponents.break_.changeOfState = true ∧ MeaningComponents.break_.contact = false ∧ MeaningComponents.break_.motion = false ∧ MeaningComponents.break_.causation = true ∧ MeaningComponents.break_.instrumentSpec = false

Low-predictability events correspond to Levin's break class: change of state + causation, but NO contact, motion, or instrument specification. The absence of contact/motion/instrumentSpec reflects the fact that break verbs are underspecified for manner — consistent with the unpredictability of the separation locus.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.cut_specifies_manner_break_does_not : MeaningComponents.cut.instrumentSpec = true ∧ MeaningComponents.break_.instrumentSpec = false

The cut/break distinction in MeaningComponents captures the endpoints of Dimension 1: cut specifies manner (instrumentSpec, contact, motion) while break does not.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.cut_break_same_template : LevinClass.cut.eventTemplate = LevinClass.break_.eventTemplate

Both cut and break map to accomplishment templates — they share event structure ([ACT CAUSE [BECOME ⟨STATE⟩]]) and differ only in root content. This explains why the cut/break distinction is about manner/predictability (root-level), not about event structure (template-level).

Rather than defining inline profiles, we derive them from the actual Fragment entries in Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal. This ensures that compatibility theorems test the real lexical data.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tearCloth_compatible_tear : clip01_tearCloth.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.tear_) = true

The tear cloth event is compatible with the Fragment tear entry.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_incompatible_tear : clip09_sliceCarrot.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.tear_) = false

A cutting event is NOT compatible with the tear profile (wrong instrument type).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.smashPot_incompatible_break : clip39_smashPot.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.break_) = false

Smashing a pot is NOT compatible with the break profile (fragmentation ≠ fracture — English smash covers fragmentation).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.snapTwig_compatible_break : clip19_snapTwig.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.break_) = true

A snapping event IS compatible with break (fracture result, moderate force) — English break can cover snapping events, though snap is more specific.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.sliceCarrot_compatible_cut : clip09_sliceCarrot.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.cut) = true

Slicing a carrot is compatible with the cut entry.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tearCloth_incompatible_cut : clip01_tearCloth.compatibleWith (Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.fragmentProfile✝ Fragments.English.Predicates.Verbal.cut) = false

Tearing cloth is NOT compatible with the cut profile (wrong instrument).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tearing_implies_low_predictability (e : SeparationEvent) (h : e.isTearing = true) : e.predictability = Predictability.low

The 4 dimensions are not independent: tearing events (Dim 2) always have low predictability (Dim 1).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.high_predictability_not_tearing (e : SeparationEvent) (h : e.predictability = Predictability.high) : e.isTearing = false

High-predictability events are never tearing events. Contrapositive of: tearing → low predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.predictability_exhaustive (e : SeparationEvent) : e.predictability = Predictability.high ∨ e.predictability = Predictability.intermediate ∨ e.predictability = Predictability.low

The superordinate cut/break distinction (Dimension 1) is exhaustive: every event is either high, intermediate, or low predictability.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.dim3_nested_in_dim1 (e : SeparationEvent) (h : e.breakSubtype ≠ BreakSubtype.other) : e.predictability = Predictability.low

Dimension 3 (snap/smash) is nested within Dimension 1: the snap vs smash distinction only applies to low-predictability events. Events with high or intermediate predictability always have breakSubtype .other. This formalizes the hierarchical structure visible in the correspondence analysis (Fig. 4).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.pokeHole_low_predictability : clip45_pokeHole.predictability = Predictability.low

The paradigmatic hole-poking event (clip 45) has low predictability — it sits in the "breaking" side of Dimension 1.

The key relativity finding: languages share the dimensional structure but place category boundaries at different points. English makes finer distinctions than Yélî Dnye — and crucially, the languages disagree on intermediate events.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.tear_disagreement : englishVerb clip01_tearCloth ≠ englishVerb clip19_snapTwig ∧ yeliDnyeVerb clip01_tearCloth = yeliDnyeVerb clip19_snapTwig

English and Yélî Dnye DISAGREE on tearing: English gives tear its own category; Yélî Dnye groups it with snapping under a single verb (hand-action separation).

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.dim3_agreement : englishVerb clip39_smashPot ≠ englishVerb clip19_snapTwig ∧ yeliDnyeVerb clip39_smashPot ≠ yeliDnyeVerb clip19_snapTwig

English distinguishes smashing from snapping; Yélî Dnye distinguishes them too (different verbs). This is an agreement on Dimension 3.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.chiselBlow_english_break : englishVerb clip53_breakStick = EnglishCBVerb.break_

The chisel-blow event (clip 53, intermediate predictability) is a boundary case: it has a sharp instrument but ballistic delivery. English categorizes it as break (the result matters more than the instrument for English), while Yélî Dnye's v1 covers all high-predictability events.

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.chiselBlow_yeliDnye : yeliDnyeVerb clip53_breakStick = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v2

theorem Phenomena.LexicalTypology.Studies.MajidBosterBowerman2008.yeliDnye_grain_limitation : yeliDnyeVerb clip09_sliceCarrot = YeliDnyeCBVerb.v1 ∧ clip09_sliceCarrot.predictability = Predictability.high

Known limitation of the Yélî Dnye model. Our model assigns clip 9 (slice carrot lengthwise) to v1 (cutting), but the paper reports that Yélî Dnye groups this event with tearing (v3) — both involve separation along the grain of the material. This documents the mismatch: the real YD system uses grain-alignment as a grouping principle that our SeparationEvent cannot express.