Conceptual (semantic) fields

A thematic group is a subsystem of the word-stock the members of which have some features in common. More detailed semantic classifications are generally based on the semantic similarity (or polarity) of words. Words may be classified according to the concepts underlying their meaning. This classification is closely connected with the theory of conceptual or semantic fields. A semantic field is a closely knit sector of vocabulary characterized by a common concept. E.g., the words blue, red, yellow, black may be described as making up the semantic field of colours; the words joy, happiness, gaiety belong to the semantic field of pleasurable emotions. The members of these semantic fields are joined together by some common semantic component, i.e. that denoting colour or emotion. This semantic component common to all the members of the semantic field is sometimes described as the common denominator of meaning.

Semantic dependence of the word on the structure of the field may be illustrated by the following example. The meaning of theword1 "captain" cannot be properly understood until we know the semantic field in which this term operates: “The Army" or "The Navy". We know what "captain" means only if we know whether his subordinate is called "commander" (капитан I ранга) (navy) or "lieutenant" (army) (капитан).

Words making up semantic fields belong to different parts of speech (cosmonaut n, spacious adj., to orbit v. - belong to the semantic field of "Space"). There may be comparatively small groups of words belonging to the same part of speech and linked by a common concept which are called lexico-semantic groups. E.g. the nouns bread, milk, meat belong to the lexico-semantic group of "Food" as the concept of food is the common denominator of meaning.

The founder of the theory of semantic fields and lexico-semantic groups was Jost Trier’s work on intellectual terms in Old and Middle High German (a German linguist, the beginning of the 20th century). The greatest merit of the field theory (Jost Trier, W. Porzig, G. Ipsen) lies in

its attempt to find linguistic criteria disclosing the systematic character of language. Tricr's most important shortcoming is his idealistic methodology. He regards language as a cultural product shaping our concepts and our knowledge of the world. Thus Trier denies the primacy of matter.

HYPONYMY

Another approach to the classification of vocabulary items into lexico-semantic groups is the study of hyponymic relations between words. Нуроnymу is a semantic relationship of inclusion. Thus, e.g. vehicle includes car, bus, taxi and oak implies tree. The general term (vehicle, tree) is sometimes referred to as the classifier and serves to describe the lexico-semantic groups, e.g. lexico-semantic groups of vehicles, trees, etc. The classifier or the more general tcrm is also called the hyperonym (tree) and the more specific term is called the hyponym (oak). The more specific term (the hyponym) is included in the more general term (the hyperonym).

Lexical units may be also classified by the criterion of semantic similarity and semantic contrasts (polarity). The terms used to denote those two types of semantic relatedness are synonymy and antonymy.