Is "field field" a correct phrase?

Question

In this thread, there's an example based on the dual meaning of the word field.

field = a specialty
field = an area to be filled

Given the above, while still not very intuitively easy to understand, I wonder if it's correct to say:

"Have you seen the field field?"

when referring to a discovery of a text box to be filled out by the actual name of ones professional specialty.

EDIT

I've noticed several replies trying to help me with the reformulation, which I appreciate. However, and I'm to blame for not being clear enough probably, the question is really whether it's correct or just awkward to use field field.

The reason for this is the following.

• The first field is a string that a user of a computer program inputs elsewhere. It can be used in a range of various context. So, I have no control of it what so ever. Besides, if we change field for industry, it's possible that somewhere in the program, there's a situation where we get industry industry instead of the current field industry.
• The second field is called that way per industry standard. When describing it to a human being, we can use synonyms and explanations but in the context of computer programming, one's expected to use the name even if it may sound awkward. So we get something like "it fell of a truck truck truck" (referring The Simpsons).

Answer 1

It is perfectly normal to say "address field" and "name field"; why would it be incorrect to say "field field?" If you are concerned about clarity, for the specific question asked, this may be a case where one resorts to using quotes or perhaps treating the name of the field as a proper name:

The "field" field.

or

The Field field.

One can be more expansive than that, but for an error message on a form, real estate is expensive and either of the above would be minimum alterations for clarity.

Answer 2

Sure, you can say that, though it's very awkward.

I'd strongly recommend choosing a different word to describe what kind of field this is, if you want to avoid confusion. Even in your question you used specialty, which seems like a pretty good choice here.

Have you seen the specialty field?

Sounds much more natural.

There are other options listed in the linked question. Industry and sector are both good alternatives.

Answer 3

There's nothing incorrect about using homonyms together in a sentence. The classic example:

"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo" is a grammatically correct sentence in American English, used as an example of how homonyms and homophones can be used to create complicated linguistic constructs.

Of course, sentences like this are a novelty at best, unreadable at worst. Reword if you can, or at least find ways to distinguish between the homonyms in writing. In this case, you can take advantage of the use-mention distinction to highlight the field name: the “field” field, or the field field.