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With regard to lexis, which of the following statements is correct?

a. Lexis is exactly the same as vocabulary.
b. Lexis links vocabulary and certain areas of grammar together.
c. Lexis is studied in separate vocabulary and grammar sessions.
d. Lexis focuses on single words only.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Lexis is correctly described as linking vocabulary and certain areas of grammar together. It goes beyond the study of single words, bringing together vocabulary and grammatical structures within a functional language system.

Step-by-step explanation:

With regard to lexis, the statement that is correct is that lexis links vocabulary and certain areas of grammar together. Lexis refers to the entirety of a language's words, which is akin to the language's vocabulary. However, lexis is not just about single words; it encompasses the way words work together and interface with grammatical structures to convey meaning. For example, this can include the use of specific forms or constructions that go beyond singular words, such as idioms, phrasal verbs, collocations, and fixed expressions that function as single semantic units within the language. Therefore, lexis represents a more dynamic and functional view of language, integrating both vocabulary and grammatical context to generate meaning.

Grammar and semantics are integral to this understanding, as grammar involves the rules for putting together words and phrases to form coherent sentences, while semantics is concerned with the meaning derived from words and sentences. When we talk about language development, children naturally acquire both vocabulary and the grammatical rules for combining them, which demonstrates the interconnectedness of lexis with grammar and vocabulary as they learn to communicate effectively.

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