LBiaP

Abstract

Overlapping bundles, that is, shorter lexical bundles that are totally or partially embedded in longer expressions, may prove problematic in the structural and functional classification of bundles. For example, many studies in the literature focus only on four-word lexical bundles and conduct extensive structural and functional analysis of those bundles. However, most scholars have not considered the fact that some 4-word expressions may be embedded in longer expressions. These longer expressions may not only have a different structure but may also carry out a different functional role. The present study introduces the Lexical Bundle Identification and Analysis Program (LBiaP), a software tool designed to facilitate lexical bundle research with independent observations of each lexical bundle identified. First, we describe complete overlapping, complete subsumption, and interlocking bundles in detail. We then explain how LBiaP deals with these types of bundles when detected.