Faculty of translation theoretical phonetics

1.2.Characteristics of the semantic field

Constant development

In a semantic field, the associations that can be established between the elements of this great mosaic are infinite. Conceptual relationships are constantly growing thanks to sustained development.
Every day, new meanings and ideas are incorporated from science, sports and politics, among other areas of knowledge.
Language is a reflection of human activities, so it is normal for its advances to translate increasingly interconnected networks of words.
This is enhanced by the phenomenon of globalization that brings different languages ​​into contact. Among others, cooperation between cultures results in new words for common ideas.

Overlap

The semantic field has its scope of existence in the way in which the different words of a language are organized in the mind.
Words in the semantic field are organized according to a very large number of meanings. These include color, flavor, animals, costumes, drinks, or events.
On the other hand, a word can belong to more than one semantic field. For example, in the Spanish language the noun cap belongs to the field of the word dress (clothing) and that of structure (levels, biology).

Lexical gaps

In all languages ​​there are situations in which there are empty spaces or gaps within the semantic field. For example, in the English language a single word is used to mean cousin Y cousin (cousin).
On the other hand, there are other pairs to differentiate the gender of words related to kinship: mother / father, sister / brother, aunt / uncle.
This can also be illustrated - on the Spanish side - with the word pork. This term is used for both the animal and the food. However, in English there is the distinction pig (pork, animal) and pork (pork, food).