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C. Semantic Field
Lehrer as quoted by Akmajian et al noted that words belonging to the same semantic field undergo similar semantic changes.
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Semantic field analysis uses feature to show the relationship of lexical items within a field or
domain. The features or components help us index the meaning of words, separate the various meanings of individual words, and analyze relationship
between similar words. Field theory is focused on the analysis of sense. J. Trier quoted by
Lyons cited the vocabulary of language as an integrated system of lexemes interrelated in sense. The system is in constant flux. The relation of sense
which holds between a given lexeme and neighboring lexemes in the system are continually changing through time.
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Matthews stated that semantics field is a distinct part of the lexicon defided by some general term or concept. E,g. in English the semantic field of
colour included words such as black and red that distinguished colours, or are hyponyms of the more general term colour.
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Semantic field plays a role in semantic change. For instance: the words from the semantic field of bird name: goose, cuckoo, pigeon, cool, turkey have
literal meaning and metaphorical meaning which refers to foolishness. The words hot and cold are antonyms describing physical temperature. With pair
of antonyms, if one member undergoes a metaphorical extension, the other
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Akmajian, et al, Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. London: The MIT Press, 1998 p.238-252.
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John Lyons, Semantics Melbourne:Cambridge University Press, 1977 p.24
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Peter Matthews, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics New York: Oxford University Press, 1997 p.334
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tends to change in a parallel position. In colloquial styles, we can speak of a hot car stolen car, hence we would refer the phrase cold car to one that is
not stolen, on the ground that semantic change tends to affect entire semantic field in a parallel position, and not just single members of the field.
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D. Componential Analysis
Kategori