speak-v; 7 Senses

Sense Number 1: vocalize, communicate through speech

Commentary: NP1[agent, +animate] SPEAK (PP(NP2[listener])) (PP(NP3[topic]))
NOTE: Not necessarily at a social event or public arena
NOTE: Can have an audience or not

Examples:
They spoke in hushed whispers in the cathedral.
The prisoner won't speak.
She speaks Spanish fluently.
The staff writer spoke with eight couples about why they think they're compatible.
Speaking of John, have you seen him today?
The children spoke of a curious old man with a crooked cane whom they'd seen in the village.
Management isn't really speaking to the rank and file of the company.

Mappings:
VerbNet: talk-37.5
FrameNet: Chatting
PropBank: speak.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 3

Sense Number 2: give a formal speech or lecture

Commentary: NP[+actor] SPEAK (PP[+audience]) (PP[+event])
NOTE: implies a specific social event or occasion of a monologue to an audience
NOTE: Audience is necessary

Examples:
Andrea Jung, Avon CEO, will speak at the Fairfield Awards Dinner.
Garciaparra continues a tradition of well-known baseball figures to speak at the dinner.
We are scheduled to speak at the conference.
This organization gives seminars on how to speak in public.

Mappings:
VerbNet: lecture-37.11
FrameNet: Text_creation
PropBank: speak.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 3: emit a characteristic or natural sound; convey as a sound

Commentary: NP[-animate] SPEAK

Examples:
The drums spoke.
I heard a subtle lovely bell-like sound, as the wind spoke through the rigging.
The lone flute player hushed the crowd, the air was rich with
atmosphere and the pure sound of the flute spoke.
I did not say all that my heart spoke to me.
His music really speaks to me.

Mappings:
VerbNet: talk-37.5
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: speak.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 4: be a spokesperson or a representative for something

Commentary: NP[+representative] SPEAK_FOR NP[+client/+benefactor] includes SPEAK FOR may be used metaphorically
NOTE: always implies speaking on behalf of another, not just oneself.

Examples:
I lost a son in Iraq and Cindy Sheehan does not speak for me.
Who will speak for the trees?
They often hire celebrities to speak for their clients.
The work will speak for itself.

Mappings:
VerbNet: defend-72.2
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
speak_for 1

Sense Number 5: voice one's opinion

Commentary: NP[+actor] SPEAK UP/SPEAK OUT includes SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT
NOTE: implies a sentient actor acting intentionally
NOTE: does -not- imply speaking on behalf of another (see Sense 4)

Examples:
An example of when you should speak up is when a player discusses the hand while it is still in progress.
If there ever was a time when we needed to speak up on behalf of people whose rights are being abridged, that time is now.
I reached out to the victims and let them know that they could and should speak up.
The nuns said all should speak out against wrong.
Jane spoke up for herself at the meeting.
Three chairmen of the Board of Education spoke out in favor of creating a policy that would make meetings more efficient.

Mappings:
VerbNet: lecture-37.11-1
FrameNet: Statement
PropBank: speak.02,speak.03
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
speak_up 1

Sense Number 6: talk more loudly

Commentary: includes SPEAK UP

Examples:
I couldn't hear you. Could you please speak up?
They asked the woman to speak up a little in order to hear her from the back of the room.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: speak.02
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
speak_up 2

Sense Number 7: Provide evidence of.

Commentary: Includes: SPEAK TO, SPEAK FOR

Examples:
The results of this project speak to his ability to lead.
His novels speak for his ability to write both poetry and prose.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM