Cover not available

Article published In: International Journal of Corpus Linguistics
Vol. 22:2 (2017) ► pp.187–211

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
authorization required

Lexical bundles in spoken academic ELF

Genre and disciplinary variation

 | Uppsala University
Published online: 16 October 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijcl.22.2.02wan
Abstract
This corpus-based study explored the effects of two factors – genre (i.e. speech event type) and disciplinary variation – on spoken academic ELF, from the perspective of lexical bundles (i.e. recurrent word combinations). The material was drawn from a corpus of transcribed spoken academic lingua franca English (ELFA). The investigation involved a quantitative analysis of the use of four-word bundles, in terms of frequency, form, and function, across a range of genres (academic lectures and seminars) and disciplines (Medicine, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences). A qualitative analysis was also carried out to give an in-depth account of functional variations associated with one particular lexical bundle I don’t know if. The results demonstrated that genre and discipline are two important factors that cannot be ignored in understanding academic ELF communication and idiomaticity, and lexical bundles provide useful glimpses on genre and disciplinary variation that are worth following up.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Chunking and the idiom principle
  • 3.Data and method
    • 3.1Data
    • 3.2Analytical steps
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1Frequency
    • 4.2Syntactic structures
    • 4.3Functional analysis
      • 4.3.1Overall results
      • 4.3.2I don’t know if
    • 4.4Disciplinary variation
      • 4.4.1Lectures
      • 4.4.2Seminars
  • 5.Conclusion
  • References
References (53)
References
Ädel, A., & Erman, B. (2011). Recurrent word combinations in academic writing by native and non-native speakers of English: A lexical bundles approach. English for Specific Purposes, 31(2), 81–92. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Baumgarten, N., & House, J. (2010). I think and I don’t know in English as lingua franca and native English discourse. Journal of Pragmatics, 42(5), 1184–1200. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999). Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Harlow: Pearson.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Biber, D., Conrad, S., & Cortes, V. (2004). If you look at …: Lexical bundles in university teaching and textbooks. Applied Linguistics, 25(3), 371–405. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chen, Y., & Baker, P. (2010). Lexical bundles in L1 and L2 academic writing. Language Learning and Technology, 14(2), 30–49.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chomsky, N. (1957). Syntactic Structures. The Hague: Mouton. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1965). Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cortes, V. (2004). Lexical bundles in published and student disciplinary writing: Examples from history and biology. English for Specific Purposes, 23(4), 397–423. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
DeCarrico, J., & Nattinger, J. R. (1988). Lexical phrases for the comprehension of academic lectures. English for Specific Purposes, 7(2), 91–102. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
ELFA (2008). The Corpus of English as a Lingua Franca in Academic Settings. Retrieved from [URL] (last accessed May 2017).
Erman, B., & Warren, B. (2000). The idiom principle and the open choice principle. Text, 20(1), 29–62. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Granger, S. (1998). Prefabricated patterns in advanced EFL writing: Collocations and formulae. In A. P. Cowie (Ed.), Phraseology: Theory, Analysis, and Applications (pp. 145–160). Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Halliday, M. A. K., & Martin, J. R. (1993). Writing Science: Literary and Discursive Power. London: Falmer Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hyland, K. (1996). Writing without conviction? Hedging in science research articles. Applied Linguistics, 17(4), 433–454. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2008a). As can be seen: Lexical bundles and disciplinary variation. English for Specific Purposes, 27(1), 4–21. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hyland, k. (2008b). Academic clusters: Text patterning in published and postgraduate writing. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 18(1), 41–62. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hyland, K. (2012a). Disciplinary Identities: Individuality and Community in Academic Discourse. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2012b). Bundles in academic discourse. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 321, 150–169. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kecskes, I. (2007). Formulaic language in English Lingua Franca. In I. Kecskes & L. Horn (Eds.), Explorations in Pragmatics: Linguistic, Cognitive and Intercultural Aspects (pp. 191–219). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kjellmer, G. (1991). A mint of phrases. In K. Aijmer & B. Altenberg (Eds.), English Corpus Linguistics (pp. 111–127). London: Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Leech, G., Rayson, P., & Wilson, A. (2001). Word Frequencies in Written and Spoken English: Based on the British National Corpus. London: Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lin, C. Y. (2010). ‘…that’s actually sort of you know trying to get consultants in …’: Functions and multifunctionality of modifiers in academic lectures. Journal of Pragmatics, 42(5), 1173–1183. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mackenzie, I. (2014). English as a Lingua Franca: Theorizing and Teaching English. Oxford/New York: Routledge. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Martinez, R., & Murphy, V. A. (2011). Effect of frequency and idiomaticity on second language reading comprehension. TESOL Quarterly, 45(2), 267–290. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Martinez, R., & Schmitt, N. (2012). A phrasal expressions list. Applied Linguistics, 33(3), 299–320. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mauranen, A. (2004). Talking academic: A corpus approach to academic speech. In K. Aijmer (Ed.), Dialogue Analysis VIII: Understanding and Misunderstanding in Dialogue (pp. 201–217). Tübingen: Max Niemeyer. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2009). Chunking in ELF: Expressions for managing interaction. Intercultural Pragmatics, 6(2), 217–233. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2012). Exploring ELF: Academic English Shaped by Non-native Speakers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Meunier, F., & Granger, S. (Eds.). (2008). Phraseology in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Miller, N. (2011). The processing of malformed formulaic language. Applied Linguistics 32(2), 129–148. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Nesi, H., & Basturkmen, H. (2006). Lexical bundles and discourse signalling in academic lectures. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 11(3), 283–304. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Östman, J. (1981). You know: A Discourse-functional Approach. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Pawley, A., & Syder, F. H. (1983). Two puzzles for linguistic theory: Nativelike selection and nativelike fluency. In J. C. Richards & R. W. Schmidt (Eds.), Language and Communication (pp. 191–225). London: Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Scott, M. (2015). WordSmith Tools (Version 6) [Computer software]. Stroud: Lexical Analysis Software.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Seidlhofer, B. (2005). English as a lingua franca. ELT Journal, 59(4), 339–341. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2009). Accommodation and the idiom principle in English as a Lingua Franca. Intercultural Pragmatics, 6(2), 195–215. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2011). Understanding English as a Lingua Franca. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Simpson-Vlach, R., & Ellis, N. C. (2010). An academic formulas list. Applied Linguistics, 31(4), 487–512. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sinclair, J. (1991). Corpus, Concordance, Collocation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Siyanova-Chanturia, A., & Martinez, R. (2015). The Idiom Principle revisited. Applied Linguistics, 36(5), 549–569.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Swales, J. M., & Burke, A. (2003). “It’s really fascinating work”: Differences in evaluative adjectives across academic registers. In C. F. Meyer & P. Leistyna (Eds.), Corpus Analysis: Language Structure and Use (pp. 1–18). Amsterdam: Rodopi. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tsui, A. B. (1991). The pragmatic functions of I don’t know . Text, 11(4), 607–622. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wells, G. (1992). The centrality of talk in education. In K. Norman (Ed.), Thinking Voices: The Work of the National Oracy Project (pp. 283–310). London: Hodder and Stoughton.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wierzbicka, A. (2007). Reasonably well: Natural Semantic Metalanguage as a tool for the study of phraseology and its cultural underpinnings. In P. Skandera (Ed.), Topics in English Linguistics: Phraseology and Culture in English (pp. 49–78). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2017). Lexical bundles in news discourse 1784–1983. In M. Palander-Collin, M. Ratia & I. Taavitsainen (Eds.), Diachronic Developments in English News Discourse (pp. 97–116). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic Language and the Lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2008). Formulaic Language: Pushing the Boundaries. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2012). What do we (think we) know about formulaic language? An evaluation of the current state of play. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 321, 231–254. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wray, A., & Perkins, M. R. (2000). The functions of formulaic language: An integrated model. Language and Communication, 20(1), 1–28. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (14)

Cited by 14 other publications

Candarli, Duygu
2025. Corpus Linguistics and Classroom Discourse. In Reference Module in Social Sciences, DOI logo
Li, Zhuolun & Lei Lei
2025. Deciphering cross-genre dynamics: Testing the Law of Abbreviation and the Meaning-Frequency Law in Chinese across genres. Lingua 320 ► pp. 103934 ff. DOI logo
Liu, Yi, Han Xu & Dechao Li
2025. Formulaicity in simultaneous interpreting: examining lexical bundles in interpreted and non-interpreted English speeches at UN Security Council meetings. Perspectives ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Li, Yang & Sandra L. Halverson
2024. Lexical bundles in formulaic interpreting. Translation and Interpreting Studies 19:1 ► pp. 33 ff. DOI logo
Wang, Ying & Henrik Kaatari
2021. Let's say: Phraseological patterns of say in academic ELF communication. Journal of English for Academic Purposes 54 ► pp. 101046 ff. DOI logo
Wang, Ying & Josep Soler
2021. Investigating predatory publishing in political science: a corpus linguistics approach. Applied Corpus Linguistics 1:1 ► pp. 100001 ff. DOI logo
Yin, Xiaoyi & Shuangling Li
2021. Lexical bundles as an intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary mark: A corpus-based study of research articles from business, biology, and applied linguistics. Applied Corpus Linguistics 1:1 ► pp. 100006 ff. DOI logo
Fajri, Muchamad Sholakhuddin Al, Angkita Wasito Kirana & Celya Intan Kharisma Putri
2020. Lexical Bundles of L1 and L2 English Professional Scholars: A Contrastive Corpus-Driven Study on Applied Linguistics Research Articles. Journal of Language and Education 6:4 ► pp. 76 ff. DOI logo
Liu, Chen-Yu & Hao-Jan Howard Chen
2020. Functional variation of lexical bundles in academic lectures and TED talks. Register Studies 2:2 ► pp. 176 ff. DOI logo
Biber, Douglas & Susan Conrad
2019. Register, Genre, and Style, DOI logo
Huang, Zeping & Gavin Bui
2019. Lexical bundles in conversation across Englishes. English World-Wide. A Journal of Varieties of English 40:3 ► pp. 299 ff. DOI logo
Wang, Ying
2018. Formulaic sequences signalling discourse organisation in ELF academic lectures: a disciplinary perspective. Journal of English as a Lingua Franca 7:2 ► pp. 355 ff. DOI logo
Wang, Ying
2018. As Hill seems to suggest : Variability in formulaic sequences with interpersonal functions in L1 novice and expert academic writing. Journal of English for Academic Purposes 33 ► pp. 12 ff. DOI logo
Wang, Ying
2019. A functional analysis of text-oriented formulaic expressions in written academic discourse: Multiword sequences vs. single words. English for Specific Purposes 54 ► pp. 50 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 12 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue