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Abstract Meaning Representation (AMR) is a widely adopted framework for graph-based sentence-level semantics. However, its abstraction from surface form and its focus on intra-sentential structure limit its ability to capture discourse-level phenomena. Uniform Meaning Representation (UMR) addresses this limitation by introducing cross-sentential mechanisms, at the cost of increased representational complexity. We argue that inter-sentential relations can be modeled without abandoning lexical anchoring. Within Lexicalized Meaning Representation, we propose a programmatic extension grounded in three domains: (i) nominal and pronominal anaphora, (ii) temporal anchoring, and (iii) inter-sentential cohesion devices. We call this Enhanced LMR (E-LMR). We contend that these relations are not abstract add-ons, but are lexically realized and should be represented accordingly. Rather than a full annotation scheme, we introduce design principles and representation strategies illustrated with European Portuguese data. A lexically grounded approach improves interpretability, annotation consistency, and cross-linguistic robustness. We thus position E-LMR as a viable alternative within a modular semantic architecture where discourse relations are explicitly encoded while remaining tightly coupled to lexical form.
@InProceedings{baptista:OASIcs.SLATE.2026.5,
author = {Baptista, Jorge},
title = {{Inter-Sentential Relations in Enhanced Lexicalized Meaning Representation (E-LMR)}},
booktitle = {15th Symposium on Languages, Applications and Technologies (SLATE 2026)},
pages = {5:1--5:18},
series = {Open Access Series in Informatics (OASIcs)},
ISBN = {978-3-95977-440-6},
ISSN = {2190-6807},
year = {2026},
volume = {144},
editor = {Batista, Fernando and Ribeiro, Eug\'{e}nio and Ribeiro, Ricardo and Santos, Andr\'{e} L.},
publisher = {Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
address = {Dagstuhl, Germany},
URL = {https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/OASIcs.SLATE.2026.5},
URN = {urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-267030},
doi = {10.4230/OASIcs.SLATE.2026.5},
annote = {Keywords: Inter-sentential relations, Lexicalized Meaning Representation, Nominal and Pronominal Anaphora Resolution, Temporal Anaphora Resolution, Inter-Sentential Cohesion Devices, European Portuguese}
}