Lexis - Unit 2

In this chapter we analyze what LEXIS is; and how all its element are an important parts in a language. Lexis refers to any unit of vocabulary, it can be a word or set of words which be intelligible display a specific meaning. Words can have different meanings such us denotative meaning (literal meaning), connotative meaning( a word has another meaning or a figurative meaning) e.g. body has a denotative meaning as a person's whole physical self, but as a connotative meaning body can be friend or a dead person or animal. 

At the same time, a word can express a meaning in context and we can imagine just listening to the situation. Also, people can understand meanings according to the form of the word. this meaning comes from derivation and inflection of words. in this situation, it is used prefixes, suffixes or compounds which modifies a root or another word.for example: use means the act of using something; and if we add the suffix -ful getting useful, it now means helping to do or achieve something.

For more understanding:

Also in order to understand a language, it is important to know and learn what collocation and idioms are. Collocations are phrases where words often occur together and can vary like phrasal verbs e.g. pick up or depend on. And, idioms are expressions which cannot be changed  and have a figurative meaning. They are very cultural.

To sum up, any word or set of words that display any meaning or be intelligible from one to another human being can be consider parts of lexis in a language.

Reference

Mary Spratt, A. P. (2011). The TKT Course. United Kingdom: Cambridge.

Nordquist, R. (23 de December de 2015). About Education. Obtenido de About Education: http://grammar.about.com/od/il/g/lexisterm.htm