The English economic term "Human capital" and its semantic field in scientific discourse

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Saint-Petersburg university of management technologies and economics

The English economic term `Human capital' and its semantic field in scientific discourse

Yulia A. Filyasova

Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

Recently, human capital (HC) has acquired special relevance in response to digital economy development. A semantic study of HC is significant for its linguistic description and practical purposes of teaching business English to students, specializing in economics and management. The aims of the research were to analyze dictionary definitions, compare them with contextual interpretations, and identify syntagmatic relations and lexical collocability of the term HC in scientific discourse. 340 article titles and their abstracts from 18 journals on economics and management served as the material for the research. The methods included continuous sampling, analysis of contextual relations, semantic classification, and componential analysis. The results of definition analysis showed that HC has intangible components of meaning and partly overlaps with resources, in opposition to capital which has monetary nature. Contextual interpretations disclose more semantic aspects of HC. Monetary relations and production factors make it closer to capital. Considerable attention is paid to HC formation and measurement. Terms, related to HC, embrace a wide variety of phenomena from almost all functional areas of business, which indicate the importance of HC for sustainable development, increasing profit and competitiveness. Semantic classification of collocations shows that HC is considered at the personal, organizational and national levels. The most frequent syntagmatic sequences include HC+N, N+Prep.+HC, and Adj. +HC. Objective valency type: V+HC is more common than subjective: HC+V. The most frequent collocations are HC accumulation, HC investments, and the role of HC.

Key words: Business English, scientific discourse, definition analysis, componential analysis, lexical collocability, syntagmatic relations, valency, linguistic worldview

Аннотация

Английский экономический термин «человеческий капитал» и его семантическое поле в научном дискурсе

Ю.А. Филясова, Санкт-Петербургский университет технологий управления и экономики

В настоящее время человеческий капитал (ЧК) приобретает особое значение в ответ на развитие цифровой экономики. Семантический анализ ЧК имеет теоретическую ценность для лингвистического описания экономического термина и практическую значимость для преподавания делового английского языка студентам экономических и управленческих направлений подготовки. Целями исследования были проанализировать словарные дефиниции, сопоставить их с контекстными определениями и выявить синтагматические отношения и лексическую сочетаемость термина ЧК в научном дискурсе. Материалом послужили 340 названий научных статей и их аннотаций из 18 журналов по экономике и менеджменту. Методы исследования включали сплошную выборку, анализ контекстных отношений, семантическую классификацию и компонентный анализ. В результате анализа дефиниций было выявлено, что ЧК имеет абстрактные компоненты значения и частично совпадает с термином ресурсы, но не с термином капитал, имеющим монетарную природу. Контекстные определения раскрывают больше аспектов значения термина ЧК. Монетарные отношения и факторы производства сближают его с капиталом. Большое внимание в научном дискурсе уделяется формированию и измерению ЧК. Экономические термины, контекстуально связанные с ЧК, охватывают широкое разнообразие явлений почти из всех функциональных областей бизнеса. Они указывают на важность ЧК для устойчивого развития, увеличения прибыли и конкурентоспособности. Семантическая классификация словосочетаний показывает, что ЧК рассматривается на личностном, организационном и национальном уровнях. Наиболее частотные синтагматические последовательности включают HC+N, N+Prep.+HC и Adj. +HC. Объектная валентная связь термина ЧК: V+HC -- более распространенная, чем субъектная: HC+V. Наиболее употребительными словосочетаниями оказались HC accumulation, HC investments и the role of HC.

Ключевые слова: деловой английский язык, научный дискурс, анализ дефиниций, компонентный анализ, лексическая сочетаемость, синтагматические отношения, валентность, языковая картина мира

Introduction

Communicative systems, such as language, are viewed as models for understanding real-life processes [1. P. 9] and developing a linguistic worldview. From a linguistic standpoint, human capital (HC) is a language unit, which can be studied at different levels of language structure: phonetics, lexicology, syntax, etc. In this paper, semantics is in the focus of attention. A linguistic analysis will contribute to gaining an insight into the substance of the term HC. Semantically, it belongs to the category of abstract words, which implies, as I.M. Kobozeva suggests, description of their significative meaning and application of such methods as synonymous paraphrase and collocabiUty analysis [2. P. 85].

A linguistic method, studying systemic functional relationships in a language, is semantic field theory, introduced by Jost Trier [3]. The theory was further developed by V.G. Admoni, A.V. Bondarko, G.S. Shchur and other linguists. Each semantic field includes a system of types and classes, variants of a certain semantic category, related to various formal means of their realization [4. P. 11]. A certain semantic category -- the one which unites various linguistic units and determines their interaction -- forms the basis of any functional semantic field [5. P. 35; 6. P. 6]. Identification of invariant units and referring them to particular speech segments determines the boundaries of the unit variation in a semantic field [7. P. 21].

A lexical unit is part of a language -- a semiotic system of a particular type; hence, a lexical unit is a sign. Following A.A. Ufimtseva, a complete semiotic description of a lexical sign means conducting an analysis of its semes (paradigmatics), semantic derivation (epidigmatics), and their functioning in speech (syntagmatics) [8. P. 129].

І.M. Kobozeva suggests adding semantic oppositions and corresponding features to description of lexical units and their semantic fields [9].

According to N.Y. Shvedova, a linguistic environment, in which a word functions, has a tripartite character: firstly, the word belongs to a particular lexical class and has a number of lexical oppositions; secondly, it acquires various linear syntagmatic connections in a text; and thirdly, the word functions in different communicative and pragmatic contexts. In other words, the word is part of a class, text and context [10. P. 383].

The ability of a word to connect with other linguistic units is also called valency - the term introduced by S.D. Katsnel'son [11] and L. Ten'er [12]. Understanding syntagmatic connections of a semantic field reveals inherent relationships between semantics of classes and their realizations in speech. As noted by V.N. Denisenko, interpretation of any fragment of reality as a linguistically organized “semantic space” seems to be an effective and valid method of world cognition [13. P. 23]. A number of recent research papers are devoted to this field of study [7; 14-21].

The aims of this research are to differentiate the semantic field of the term HC from related lexical units, compare dictionary definitions of HC with its contextual interpretations, determine syntagmatic relations and lexical collocability of the term HC in scientific economic discourse. Description of the linguistic view of HC based on the obtained results has theoretical value. Research article titles and the related abstracts, containing the term HC, from journals, devoted to economic and managerial sciences, along with the correspondent dictionary definitions, are considered as the object of the analysis. Notably, research articles reflect the latest views, some of which might later become semantic components in dictionary definitions of HC.

The practical relevance lies in the fact that the results can be used in the practice of teaching business English to students specializing in economics and management. It is worth noting that scientific discourse is characterized by multiple modes of semiotic communication, including spoken, written, representational, inscriptional, and symbolic, among others. The range of semiotic communicative forms shows wide variation and is often alien to science students' ways communicating in others aspects of their lives [22. P. 321]. Consequently, drawing students' attention to scientific papers will improve their reading skills in the language of science [23], enhance their knowledge of English [24] and develop competencies in professional areas.

Material

The resources included 18 journals [26-43], related to the areas of economy and human resource management (HRM): Economics Letters (47 articles), The Economics of Education Review (42), Economic Modelling (35), The Journal of Human Capital (32), The Journal of Intellectual Capital (23), Labour Economics (22), Journal of Management (21), Review of Development Economics (19), The Journal of Human Resources, The Journal of Comparative Economics (15), The Journal of Monetary Economics (13), Strategic Management Journal (13), International Economic Review (12), Journal of Economic Surveys (11), The Human Resource Management Journal (8), Global Business Review (5), The Human Resource Management Review (4), The Journal of Finance (3). The corpus contained 340 article titles and the related abstracts, 44 800 words in total. 894 occurrences of the term HC were analyzed.

Methodology

Initially, the articles were continuously selected by the key word: HC; then word combinations were classified into categories on the basis of their valency and contextual meanings. Taking into consideration the fundamentals of semantic analysis mentioned above, the following methods were used:

1. dictionary definitions of the term HC were analyzed in combination with capital and resources in order to compare their individual semantic components;

2. contextual definitions (31) and related economic phenomena (142) were identified;

3. syntagmatic relations of HC and collocations were revealed in the left and right contexts:

HC+N (344 occurrences)

N+Prep.+HC (187 occ.)

Adj.+HC (91 occ.)

N's+HC (22 occ.)

V+HC (51 occ.)

HC+V (16 occ.)

HC+Prep.+N (10 occ.)

As a result of the analysis, the frequency of collocations with HC was determined.

Results

Dictionary definitions

From an economic perspective, HC is highly valuable in the modern society, though it is a multifaceted complex economic term, difficult for measuring and accounting. It differs from other forms of capital and is related to the field of HRM. The term contains the notion capital as a constituent element; and simultaneously, it has human nature.

Let us compare semantic components of the terms HC, capital, and resources, given in dictionaries [44--47]. The term HC is a unique intangible notion, whose denotative meaning completely coincides neither with capital nor resources (Table 1). The principle distinctions of the term HC are as follows.

Table 1 / Таблица 1

Differential semantic components of the terms / Дифференциальные семантические компоненты терминов

Firstly, HC has mainly intangible nature, including human resources (HR). Capital embraces monetary notions. Capital means wealth, while human capital is only a form of wealth. Gaining HC does not mean gaining direct monetary benefits. The term resources is semantically the widest, including both tangible and intangible semes. Among other similarities, both capital and resources are regarded as factors of production. It is worth mentioning that according to the current economic paradigm, HC is viewed as a factor of production in the era of digital economy, virtual reality, computer- aided manufacturing and artificial intelligence development [25]. That places HC on a par with capital and resources. However, it does not deprive HC of its abstract quality.

Secondly, the attainment of HC is regarded as an end in itself [47], -- whereas the terms capital and resources are non-finite elements, in effect. This is also proven by the predicate: be used does not appear in the semantics of HC (Table 1).

Thirdly, HC is not reflected in financial statements, in contrast to capital and resources. Nevertheless, it is incorporated in the organization's procedures and structure.

As for the goals mentioned in each definition, capital is aimed at deriving material and financial profit, such as money, goods, services, or business expansion; in other words, certain material tangible results. However, in relation to HC and resources, more abstract or intangible outcome is mentioned (Table 1).

On balance, HC has more similarities with the term resources, as it incorporates both tangible and intangible semantic components, in contrast to capital, which is obviously tangible.

It is worth mentioning here that the related term human resources is much narrower in meaning since it denotes only the department of an organization which deals with finding new employees, keeping records about all the organization's employees, and helping them with any problems [44; 46]. The alternative term to HR is personnel [47].

Contextual definitions and related phenomena

As noted by I.M. Kobozeva, synonymous paraphrase is an integral part of semantic analysis, focused on abstract words [2. P. 85]. For this reason, contextual explanations of HC were found in research abstracts. They give a more detailed and broader view, and define HC as a multifaceted concept, determinant of economic growth, indicator of productivity, even as a factor of wage disparities (Table 2). They also have interpretations which directly match dictionary definitions: knowledge, skills, capabilities, and experience. Additionally, contexts expand the term up to education and professional training.

At the level of HR departments, HC is associated with employee capability, satisfaction, and commitment. Strategically, HC is a source of competitive advantage. A number of contextual definitions point at the connection of HC with resources and assets (Table 2).

Table 2/ Таблица 2

Contextual definitions of HC / Контекстные определения человеческого капитала (ЧК)

Contrasted phenomena include a wide range of notions, ranging from personal to national issues, though differences are sometimes blurred and the phenomena can be attributed to more than one level. As can be seen from Tb. 3, HC being intangible by definition, in its generalized representation influences many aspects of human life, the prosperity of companies and national interests.

At the personal level, HC is related to the following aspects: the number of children in a family, the existence of family itself, family types, people's physical and mental state, financial and social differences among people, employment patterns, career perspectives, and work-life balance, among others.

The organizational level embraces almost all functional areas of business activity; not only immediately HRM, but also finance, marketing, research and development, strategic planning, information technologies, production.

At the national level, the term HC concerns a long list of fundamental aspects of economic development, social life, demographics, urbanizations, education, migration, technological development, and others.

Table 3 / Таблица 3

Economic phenomena related to HC / Экономические явления, соотносимые с ЧК

Syntagmatic relations and collocability

HC+N

These syntagmatic relations are the most numerous. The most frequent collocations are HC accumulation and HC investments; less frequent are HC formation, HC theory, HC approach, HC endowments, and HC measurement.

Table 4 / Таблица 4