Theory of Translation 1 Introduction

2.13.1.4 Vocabulary 
Words in a language are organized into three lexical structures: (a) associative field,
(b) lexical field and c) lexicon. 
(I) Associative Field 
The terms ‘lexical field’ and ‘associative field of a word’ are coined by Charles Bally. 
In his view, associative field is “a halo which surrounds the signs and whose outer 

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fringes merge into their environment” (qtd. in Ullmann, 4). It is a highly variable 
structure, may it be an SL item or its TL equivalent. It differs from one individual to 
another, one social group to another and sometimes, from one situation to another. 
(II) Lexical field:
A lexical field is a closely organized sector of the vocabulary whose elements delimit 
each other. The vocabulary of every language implies a definite philosophy of life and 
a hierarchy of values. It is an embodiment of peculiar vision of the universe which is 
handed down from generation to generation, like colour distinction. Kinship terms in 
various Indian languages like Marathi, an intricate hierarchy of kinship terms is 
observed due to totally social and cultural background. 
(III) Lexicon 
Lexicon is the entire vocabulary of language, the third level. The concepts can be 
divided into groups and then in number of divisions. If a structural approach is 
applied to the vocabulary of different languages, it may produce interesting results 
which can be used in the theory and practice of translation. 
(IV) Associated Information of Word
Words have meaning beyond their dictionary interpretation. The information in a 
word is much complex. A word is associated with many properties. Adrian Akmajian 
and others linguists enlist the different kinds of information a word is associated with, 
as indicated below:
(a)