DEFINITIONS OF LEXICAL UNITS IN MODERN LINGUISTICS

Abstract

This paper explores the varied definitions of lexical units within modern linguistic theory, highlighting how different frameworks conceptualize the basic meaning-bearing components of language. Lexical units are generally understood as minimal elements that carry semantic content, but their interpretation varies across linguistic approaches. Structural linguistics views lexical units as elements defined by their position within a systemic network of contrasts. Generative linguistics treats them as entries in the mental lexicon, emphasizing formal features and syntactic behavior. Cognitive linguistics interprets lexical units as symbolic pairings of form and meaning grounded in conceptual structures and human cognition. Corpus-based linguistics, in contrast, identifies lexical units through patterns observed in large collections of authentic language data. Together, these perspectives illustrate the multidimensional nature of lexical units and demonstrate how meaning, cognition, structure, and usage all contribute to their definition. This study underscores the importance of integrating multiple approaches for a comprehensive understanding of the lexicon.