Difference between SEMANTIC field and ASSOCIATIVE field

The semantic field and associative field They are two different concepts that it is easy for us to confuse because they are similar in several points. They both tell us about the meaning of words and encompass them in groups of meaning larger than themselves.

In this lesson from a TEACHER we want to explain difference between semantic field and associative field with some examples so that you can be clear when it comes to recognizing it in a text or using it in your writing.

A semantic field is a set of words of the same grammatical category that have different meanings, but that share a common theme. For example, if we talk about flowers we could say that their semantic field would be: roses, poppies, daisies, pitiminís, carnations, etc.

Each of the words that we have previously put have a different meaning however they share with each other that they are flowers. That is to say: rose and poppy do not have the same definition because they are totally different things, the only thing that unites them is that they are both flowers.

Therefore, we can say that the importance of semantic fields falls on the meaning, since, it is not necessary that the words share any common characteristic other than to be included in the same group of meaning.

Within the semantic fields would enter antonym words, that is, they have opposite meanings like sun and moon. Also enter the hyponyms, which are pairs of words in which one is more specific than the other such as flower and rose. Furthermore, within the same semantic field we can find synonyms such as hair and hair.

It is important to note that, within a semantic field, the words will always be the same grammatical category. If the semantic field talks about flowers, we can only add nouns, we can never include adjectives or verbs.

Examples of semantic fields

These are some examples of semantic fields so that you understand it in a more practical way:

• Months of the year: January, February, March, April, May, June, etc.
• Birds: Nightingale, sparrow, seagull, parakeet, dove, eagle, etc.
• Famous singers: Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Ed Sheran, Alejandro Sanz, etc.

A associative field It is a set of words that, through their meaning, can be included within the same area of ​​society. The associative fields are very free and weak structures that allow the writer to do practically whatever comes to mind.

In an associative field, the words that form it do not have to be of the same grammatical category, but can be added nouns, adjectives and verbs. For example, the associative field of flowers could be: rose, poppy, stem, beautiful, prune, field, gardener, work, garden, red, colors, love, etc.

As you can check the associative field depends absolutely on the subjectivity of the person who is creating it, since for one person flowers may be beautiful and for another not. Furthermore, these associative fields are based on the association of ideas with meanings and sensations that words give us, therefore, can lead us to a goal far removed from the beginning.

They are like cobwebs that are formed with a union of words that can seem absurd for some but completely logical for others. Words can be associated depending on the feeling that they transmit to us. For example, soup and grandmother could be related in the same family semantic field.

Associative Field Examples

These are some associative field examples so that you understand it in a more practical way:

• Holidays: freedom, beach, sand, reading, television, snow, dancing, fun, tired, etc.
• Clothing: Dress, pretty, sexy, sock, washing machine, ironing, dirty, party, squeeze, etc.
• Art: Painting, sculpture, freedom, laugh, love, Saturday, theater, relationship, friends, etc.

As you may have seen in the definitions, there are certain differences that make the semantic field and the associative field different. What unites them is that they encompass words and classify them without taking into account the more technical part of grammar and syntax, but rather classified by their meaning.

These are the Main differences between semantic field and associative field are as follows:

• While the semantic fields only include words of the same grammatical category, associative fields can contain nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
• While semantic fields make sense to everyone who reads them, associative fields are totally subjective and it will only make sense to the person who created it.
• A semantic field is based solely on the meaning words and an associative field can be based on sensations or experiences.
• The associative field is a lot more free than the semantic field.

Now you know the difference between semantic field and associative field. If you are interested in continuing to learn about this topic or something related, do not hesitate to take a look at the grammar and linguistics section.