Ontologies for historical languages: using the LiLa and OntoLex-Lemon framework to build a Lemma Bank for Old Irish

Theodorus Fransen


Abstract
This paper presents a Linked Data approach to digitising and structuring Old Irish linguistic resources using the Lila (Linking Latin) ontology, which is itself largely based on the OntoLex-Lemon framework (Cimiano et al., 2016). Old Irish, as an ancient Celtic language with fragmented textual traditions, presents unique challenges for the creation and interoperability of digital resources. This work is part of the MOLOR project, whose aim is to create a knowledge base for Old Irish by interlinking texts, lexicons, and inflectional data. The first step in this ambitious endeavour is described here: the creation of an RDF linguistic Linked Data hub known as a Lemma Bank, similar to the one created as part of the LiLa project, addressing specific linguistic challenges and opportunities while adhering to the LiLa ontology.
Anthology ID:
2025.ontolex-1.3
Volume:
Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Language, Data and Knowledge: The 5th OntoLex Workshop
Month:
September
Year:
2025
Address:
Naples, Italy
Editors:
Katerina Gkirtzou, Slavko Žitnik, Jorge Gracia, Dagmar Gromann, Maria Pia di Buono, Johanna Monti, Maxim Ionov
Venues:
ontolex | WS
SIG:
Publisher:
Unior Press
Note:
Pages:
18–29
Language:
URL:
https://aclanthology.org/2025.ontolex-1.3/
DOI:
Bibkey:
Cite (ACL):
Theodorus Fransen. 2025. Ontologies for historical languages: using the LiLa and OntoLex-Lemon framework to build a Lemma Bank for Old Irish. In Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Language, Data and Knowledge: The 5th OntoLex Workshop, pages 18–29, Naples, Italy. Unior Press.
Cite (Informal):
Ontologies for historical languages: using the LiLa and OntoLex-Lemon framework to build a Lemma Bank for Old Irish (Fransen, ontolex 2025)
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PDF:
https://aclanthology.org/2025.ontolex-1.3.pdf