ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-022 · ATLAS 259

Taxonomy

A taxonomy organises entities into justified classes and subclasses.

Part of the subject path Semantics and Signs

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Taxonomy is needed to make classification into classes and subclasses transparent together with its criteria. A list of names without reasoned class relations does not constitute a taxonomy.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A taxonomy organises entities into justified classes and subclasses. In this linguistic context, the relation between superordinate and subordinate concepts is central: a subclass counts as a kind of its superclass. This differs from a part–whole relation. A wheel is part of a bicycle, not a kind of bicycle. Not every tree-shaped representation is therefore a taxonomy in the same sense. The chosen criteria determine membership and whether multiple classifications are useful. A classification can serve a purpose without representing a final natural ordering of everything.

Movement of thought

1. Specify the purpose. 2. State classification criteria. 3. Construct classes and subclasses. 4. Separate part relations. 5. Examine borderline and multiple memberships.

Scientific use case

Lexical databases can model different relation types separately.

Example

“Rose – flower – plant” can form a simplified conceptual hierarchy, whereas “petal – flower” expresses a part relation.

Counterexample

An organisational responsibility chart is not automatically a classification of kinds.

Distinction

Distinguish taxonomy from meronymy, enumeration and arbitrary hierarchy.

Effect on thought and perception

Taxonomies make justified inclusion relations easier to inspect.

Resonance

Order also depends on keeping different kinds of belonging distinct.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Taxonomy“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-022. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-022

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-022

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.