Semantic Fields, Linguistic Registers, and Modalization in Text
Semantic Fields in Text
Words within the same semantic field are those that:
- Have a relationship of meaning and
- Share the same grammatical category.
In the text, we see terms belonging to a main semantic field _________. This is seen in the words …
The author may use these words and others belonging to another semantic field because, as it follows the theme of the text, the author is trying to convey …
In addition, there are words from other semantic fields …
Linguistic Registers
The register refers to linguistic:
- Use of language that the issuer
- Adapts to the communicative situation
- To facilitate being understood by the receiver to be addressed.
Thus, it influences channel choice, the subject report, and the intent of the sender to the recipient’s address.
In the text, the author uses _____ language, a register that can be seen using the following features present in the text.
Formal Register
- Appropriate syntactic constructions with well-structured information.
- Accuracy in the use of tenses and conjunctions.
Precise language is rich, diverse, and cultured.
Standard Register
- Simple and general vocabulary, not necessarily specific to a particular area.
- Appropriate lexicon to communicate with an average receiver.
Terms that express greater subjectivity of the issuer.
In addition, there may be the presence of colloquialisms.
Modalization
Modalization is the expression of subjectivity by the issuer, usually becoming a participant in the text.
To achieve this, various procedures or linguistic elements of expression of subjectivity are used, from which the author uses several:
- Verbal mode (subjunctive denotes subjectivity; the imperative denotes a mandate proper to the appellate function).
- Verbal periphrasis of manners.
Obligation:
Have to + infinitive,
Must + infinitive,
Need to + infinitive,
Be required to + infinitive
Possibility:
To be able to + infinitive,
Might + infinitive,
Could + infinitive.
- Sentence mode: exclamatory sentences, rhetorical questions, interjections …
- Using the first grammatical person.
- Lexical items (terms) with values.
Explanatory adjectives …
Adverbs ending in -ly (positioning): e.g., possibly, unfortunately …
Expressive verbs: I am sorry …
Expressive nouns: Unfortunately, horror …
- Changes in linguistic register (from a formal to an informal one, for example)
- Certain punctuation
Quotation marks for quotes on arguments of authority.
Parentheses when introducing the author’s personal assessment over the unity of the idea put forward.
- Figures of speech.
Ironic tone.
Metaphors and brands of expressive language functions and/or poetic …
Lexical Elements and Cohesive Devices
Anaphoric cohesive devices are those that bind, join, or link together different parts of the text:
- Recurrence of repetitions.
- Synonymy, hyponymy, hypernymy.
- Substitutions for pronouns.
Personal
Possessive
Reflective
Ethical Dative
- Ellipsis.
- Deixis.
For possessive
Adverb
NOTE: Discourse markers or connectors are not coreferential lexical elements.
Sentence Structure
In the text predominates a simple/complex sentence period:
- Complex syntactic structure, with abundant subordination … – provides a slow pace;
- Simple – more simple sentences, coordinated and juxtaposed, a more dynamic one).
We can justify this by pointing to various brands of the text:
Coordinated and juxtaposed.
Subordinated adjective.
Subordinated substantive.
Adverbial subordinate.