Linguistics of text and conversation

The handbook is based on the division of the subjects of linguistic theories of communication in "text" and "conversation" and distinguishes a "text linguistics" (Volume 1) and a "conversation linguistics" (Volume 2). 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-mono-logic communication (text) and spoken-dialogic communication (conversation) - despite all dissimilarities between the two - and to facilitate the orientation of the handbook user. The principle tasks of the handbook are to represent the current state of research and the developments in research in this complex area, to explicate the fundamental text-relevant and conversation-relevant methods, to deal with essential aspects of the constitution and the typology of text and conversation, and, finally, to show text linguistics and conversation linguistics in relation to other disciplines and fields of practice. -- Preface.