Semantic Field Definition and Examples

Semantic Field Definition and Examples A semantic field is a set of words (or lexemes) related in meaning. The phrase is also known as a word field, lexical field, field of meaning, and semantic system. Linguist Adrienne Lehrer has defined semantic field more specifically as a set of lexemes which cover a certain conceptual domain and which bear certain specifiable relations to one another (1985). Examples and Observations The subject matter often unites a semantic field. The words in a semantic field share a common semantic property. Most often, fields are defined by subject matter, such as body parts, landforms, diseases, colors, foods, or kinship relations.... Lets consider some examples of semantic fields....The field of stages of life is arranged sequentially, though there is considerable overlap between terms (e.g., child, toddler) as well as some apparent gaps (e.g., there are no simple terms for the different stages of adulthood). Note that a term such as minor or juvenile belongs to a technical register, a term such as kid or tot to a colloquial register, and a term such as sexagenarian or octogenarian to a more formal register. The semantic field of water could be divided into a number of subfields; in addition, there would appear to be a great deal of overlap between terms such as sound/fjord or cove/harbor/bay. (Laurel J. Brinton, The Structure of Modern English: A Linguistic Introduction. John Benjamins, 2000) Metaphors and Semantic Fields Semantic fields are also sometimes called fields of meaning: Cultural attitudes to particular areas of human activity can often be seen in the choices of metaphor used when that activity is discussed. A useful linguistic concept to be aware of here is that of semantic field, sometimes called just field, or field of meaning.... The semantic field of war and battle is one that sports writers often draw on. Sport, particularly football, in our culture is also associated with conflict and violence. (Ronald Carter, Working With Texts: A Core Introduction to Language Analysis. Routledge, 2001) More and Less Marked Members of a Semantic Field Color terms also help illustrate how words are grouped into a semantic field. In a semantic field, not all lexical items necessarily have the same status. Consider the following sets, which together form the semantic field of color terms (of course, there are other terms in the same field): Blue, red, yellow, green, black, purpleIndigo, saffron, royal blue, aquamarine, bisque The colors referred to by the words of set 1 are more usual than those described in set 2. They are said to be less marked members of the semantic field than those of set 2. The less marked members of a semantic field are usually easier to learn and remember than more marked members. Children learn the term blue before they learn the terms indigo,, royal blue, or aquamarine. Often, a less marked word consists of only one morpheme, in contrast to more marked words (contrast blue with royal blue or aquamarine). The less marked member of a semantic field cannot be described by using the name of another member of the same field, whereas more marked members can be thus described (indigo is a kind of blue, but blue is not a kind of indigo). Less marked terms also tend to be used more frequently than more marked terms; for example, blue occurs considerably more frequently in conversation and writing than indigo or aquamarine....Less marked terms are also often broader in meaning than more marked terms.... Finally, less marked words are not the result of the metaphorical usage of the name of another object or concept, whereas more marked words often are; for example, saffron is the color of a spice that lent its name to the color. (Edward Finegan. Language: Its Structure and Use, 5th ed. Thomson Wadsworth, 2008)

Writing for the Health Markets

Writing for the Health Markets In case you had not noticed, America is getting older. And while that might cause alarm for some people, for freelance writers, it is time to dance a jig. Why? Because with the so-called graying of America, the opportunity to write for health markets has exploded and reached an all-time high. And it will continue to grow and grow and grow. Here are five  tips to keep in mind when writing for the health markets: Find the latest health and fitness news. Think like an editor, who is always trying to think like a reader. What is happening in the world of health and fitness, and why is it newsworthy? Find a timely topic in the health world, and you are one step closer to landing an assignment. There are thousands of websites that are devoted to health and fitness information. A good place to start is the Federal Governments own site, the National Institutes of Health. Visit them at nih.gov and youll find every health topic and late breaking bulletin there is. Target your audience. Know the audience of the magazine, newsletter or website, and your job as a health writer will be a lot easier. For example, does this publication like to include a lot of statistics and facts, or is it looking for more of the human side of the story? Read back issues, study the writers guidelines, and youll do fine. Know where to find statistics and facts. As a freelance health writer, you need to know how to research the basic health facts and statistics. Compile a list of reference books, directories (including online sources) and other health materials. A good place to start is a local university or college library. Or better yet, check with your local hospital; many times, they will have a health library that is open to the public. You wont find a better source of reference materials anywhere. Know where to get good quotes from doctors. If you have not yet visited www.profnet.com, then take a few moments and do so. It has the worlds largest group of experts in every field, and they are just waiting to answer your questions. Need a quote from a dentist? Go to ProfNet; need a quote from a heart surgeon? Go to Profnet. Dont write like a doctor. Unless you are a doctor, that is. But even if you are a doctor, remember that you are writing for a general consumer market (unless you are writing for a medical journal!). Dont use 18 letter words when shorter ones will work just as well. Read other general consumer health materials as a guide. Here are a few health markets that are actively seeking new articles: Health Central Find them online at https://www.healthcentral.com/ I recently sold two articles to them at $150 for 500 words. Everyday Health Find them online at https://www.everydayhealth.com/ Last year I wrote four articles for them at $350 for 600 words. When searching for new markets to sell health articles, dont forget to check out health and medical associations.   You can find lots of links right here: meditec.com/resourcestools/professional-associations-list/ Many associations use freelance writers on a regular basis.   A few years ago the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) hired me to update a Medicare manual.   Although the work was a little boring, it did pay nearly $6,000.