Lexical Field:
* Focuses on words: A lexical field refers to a group of words that share a common semantic domain, meaning they relate to the same concept or topic.
* Emphasis on vocabulary: It emphasizes the specific vocabulary used to describe a particular area of meaning.
* Example: The lexical field of "weather" would include words like "sun", "rain", "storm", "wind", "cloud", "temperature", etc.
Semantic Field:
* Focuses on meaning: A semantic field encompasses the broader range of meanings and concepts associated with a particular area.
* Emphasis on concepts: It goes beyond specific words and considers the underlying ideas, relationships, and nuances within a particular topic.
* Example: The semantic field of "weather" would not only include the words mentioned above, but also the different types of weather (e.g., tropical, temperate, arctic), weather phenomena (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards), and the impact of weather on human activities (e.g., agriculture, transportation, recreation).
In summary:
* Lexical field is more focused on the specific words used to describe a concept.
* Semantic field is broader and encompasses the entire range of meaning and relationships related to a topic.
Think of it this way:
* A lexical field is like a dictionary entry for a specific concept, listing all the relevant words.
* A semantic field is like a comprehensive encyclopedia entry, exploring all the facets and nuances of a concept.
While the distinction is subtle, understanding the difference can be helpful for analyzing language, exploring the complexities of meaning, and understanding how vocabulary reflects our cultural understanding of the world.