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A compositional semantics for Venn diagrams
1University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
Linguistics and Philosophy
|August 10, 2026
Summary
This study explores Venn diagrams, analyzing their recursive syntax and compositional semantics. It proposes two novel approaches to understand visual representation, differentiating it from linguistic structures.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Language
- Visual Studies
Background:
- Venn diagrams possess a clear formal structure and correctness conditions.
- Existing research lacks a compositional semantics for Venn diagrams, posing questions about visual representation's nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Venn diagrams exhibit a recursive syntax and compositional semantics.
- To compare linguistic representation with visual representation in Venn diagrams.
Main Methods:
- Developed two distinct approaches to Venn diagram syntax: region-first and cell-first.
- Formulated a compositional semantics for each syntactic approach.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed compositional semantics for Venn diagrams.
- Identified similarities and differences between linguistic and Venn diagram representation.
Conclusions:
- Venn diagrams can be analyzed compositionally, challenging previous assumptions.
- The proposed methods offer new perspectives for interpreting diverse visual representations.
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