Teaching Lexical Cohesion in Linguistics Textbooks and Its Analysis in the Context of Corpus Linguistics

Abstract

This study examines the role of lexical cohesion in linguistics textbooks and its significance in the organization of academic discourse. Lexical cohesion is regarded as one of the major mechanisms ensuring semantic unity and coherence within a text. The research focuses on the theoretical approaches proposed by M.A.K. Halliday and Ruqaiya Hasan, particularly reiteration and collocation as the principal forms of lexical cohesion. In addition, the study discusses the contributions of corpus linguistics and communicative language teaching approaches to the analysis and teaching of cohesion. The research highlights the methodological challenges encountered in presenting cohesion devices in language teaching materials, including simplification, genre differences, and the selection of authentic examples. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of corpus-based approaches such as lexical syllabus, lexical approach, and pattern grammar in understanding cohesive relations within discourse. The findings indicate that lexical cohesion plays a central role not only in connecting lexical items but also in structuring arguments, maintaining terminological consistency, and improving the overall quality of academic writing. Consequently, the study argues that cohesion should be taught and analyzed within a broader discourse-oriented and corpus-theoretical framework.