| dc.description | This study deals with two complementary models of lexical analysis, namely the semantic field theory and morphosemantics. Given that the two trends stem from and propose to extend the basic concepts of the structural descriptive linguistics for which credit is given to Ferdinand de Saussure, the study begins with a review of such fundamental issues in linguistics as the arbitrary nature of the sign, associative relations of words, polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy, etc. The semantic field theory as elaborated by Jost Trier, Gunther Ipsen, Walter Porzig and Leo Weisgerber, is expounded. The need for a wider and more profitable perspective in the study of the semantic field is stressed. Thus, the morphosemantic analysis as expounded by Pierre Guiraud is given special prominence. An attempt is made to compensate for the neglect of Guiraud's studies by highlighting this very important chapter of French linguistics. A link is established between certain theoretical aspects of semantics and their practical application in lexicology. Anchored in a comparative lexical corpus of French, English and Igbo, the study reveals a dimension of the interpenetration of polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy and word formation in a fresh dimension to the study of the lexicon. | en_US |
