This "Handbook" is based on the division of the subjects of linguistic theories of communication in "text" and "conversation" and distinguishes a "text linguistic" (Volume 1) and a "conversation linguistics" (Volume 2 - scheduled for 2000). The two volumes of the handbook are so arranged that they correspond to each other in their overall composition. The intention thereby is to give prominence to the connection between written-monologic communication (text) and spoken-dialogic communication (conversation) - despite all dissimilarities between the two - and to facilitate the orientation of...

This series of HANDBOOKS OF LINGUISTICS AND COMMUNICATION SCIENCE is designed to illuminate a field which not only includes general linguistics and the study of linguistics as applied to specific languages, but also covers those more recent areas which have developed from the increasing body of research into the manifold forms of communicative action and interaction.

For "classic" linguistics there appears to be a need for a review of the state of the art which will provide a reference base for the rapid advances in research undertaken from a variety of theoretical standpoints,...