The Application Of Semantic Field Theory In Legal Lexical Learning

Lexicon is the core and the foundation of languages. On account of the distinctivefeatures of legal language, legal lexicon is bound to differ from the general vocabularies. Aslegal lexicon has played an important role, the process of lexical memorization andcomprehension can not be abandoned in acquiring the legal language. Nevertheless,effective legal lexical learning entails appropriate and scientific lexical learning strategies,which is similar to the general English learning. The sad part is, lots of academic worksmerely place more emphasis on the general English learning strategies, instead of makingspecific analyses for legal lexical learning strategies.Inspired by the semantic field theory, this thesis endeavors to study the relevancebetween the theory of semantic field and lexical learning strategy, and make use of this kindof relevance to guide the legal lexical learning. It is designed to prove that appropriatelearning strategies are good for raising the efficiency in legal English learning. Combiningthe characteristics of semantic field---hierarchy, overlap and variability, this thesis givesspecific definitions and elaborations on legal hyponymy, legal polysemy and legal lexicalvariation. For the purpose of manifesting the positive effects of semantic field theory onlearners’ lexical learning and understanding, examples are cited to demonstrate that thetheory interpretations can be applied in practical studies for legal lexical analyses. Effectivelexical learning needs the systematic instructions from learning strategies. Since the theoryof semantic field is apt for legal lexical learning, it is feasible to integrate it with learningstrategy theory and cultivate the proper lexical learning strategies.Lastly, according to the nature and features possessed by the semantic field theory, thesemantic field theory’s pedagogical implications for legal lexical learning strategy areconcluded in this thesis. Two corresponding lexical learning strategies are elaborated:taxonomy strategy and associative strategy. The former focuses on the inductive method inlexical learning, and the latter emphasizes the necessity of building the bridge between thenew knowledge and the original. Meanwhile, the associative strategy is illustrated fromthree different aspects: spelling association, taxonomy association and comparativeassociation. For the purpose of explaining in detail how previous lexical learning strategiescan prompt the instruction of legal lexical learning effectively, a number of typical examples are selected from legal English vocabularies. It is finally concluded that legallexical learning also needs the instruction of learning strategy, and it is feasible to applysemantic field theory as lexical learning strategy in legal lexical learning.