Lexis (linguistics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In linguistics, the lexis of a language is the entire store of its lexical items. Some examples of lexical items from the English lexis are "cat", "traffic light", "take care of", "by the way" and "don't count your chickens before they hatch". The presence of multi-word lexical items in the lexis is what differentiates it from vocabulary - the collection of only single words.
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[edit] Types of lexical items
Michael Lewis divides lexis into four types of lexical items:
- Words
- Collocations
- Fixed expressions
- Semi-fixed expressions
[edit] Words
A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
[edit] Collocations
An arrangement or juxtaposition of words or other elements, especially those that commonly co-occur, such as "rancid butter", "bosom buddy", or "dead serious".
Fixed expressions are collections of words that have formed recognition over time. They are often referred to as phrases or sayings. Examples of fixed expressions include sayings such as: 'To tell you the truth' or 'come rain or shine.'
Fixed expressions are often used in everyday conversation.
[edit] Semi-fixed expressions
magnanimous
[edit] See also
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[edit] External Links
- Sounds Familiar? — Listen to examples of lexical variation across the UK on the British Library's 'Sounds Familiar' website
