Lexical systems in language teaching

Abstract

The nature of language is such that not only are grammatical systems highly structured and subject to systematic analysis but the same is true for lexical systems. Basic to the lexical system of a language is the lexical unit. A lexical unit is composed of one or more semantic components and is given a label by the language. Lexical units occur in sets. A lexical set has two characteristics: (1) it is unified as a set by one or more universal components which are shared by all members of the set, and (2) it is distinguished from all other sets by one or more distinguishing components which are unique to the set. The paper discusses possible componential relationships between lexical units in lexical sets and presents a procedure for discovering their componential and hierarchical structure through elicitation. The thesis of the paper is that the assimilation of the lexicon of a language can be greatly facilitated for the student who learns it in the context of its basic componential structure rather than in a random, haphaZard, manner. This thesis is supported by examples from the speaker's experience with Western Bukidnon Manobo, a language of Central Mindanao in the Philippines.