1. Introduction. Distinctive features of the Cognitive Linguistic approach to language study (Jeannette Littlemore, University of Birmingham UK and John Taylor, University of Otago, New Zealand) 2. Major figures in Cognitive Linguistics. A retrospective view of the development of Cognitive Linguistics 2.1 Langacker’s Cognitive Grammar (Phil Bennett, University of Birmingham, UK) 2.2 Lakoff’s theory of Conceptual Metaphor (Dennis Tay, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong) 2.3 Goldberg’s Construction Grammar (Kris Ramonda, University of Birmingham, UK) 2.4 Fauconnier’s theory of mental spaces and conceptual blending (Brian Birdsell, University of Birmingham, UK) 2.5 Tomasello’s theory of first language acquisition (Sarah Turner, University of Birmingham, UK) 2.6 Bybee's usage based models of language (Daniel Sanford, University of New Mexico, USA) 3. Topics in Cognitive Linguistics research. A thematic overview of topics that have been actively researched by cognitive linguists. 3.1 The Cognitive-Linguistic revolution in metaphor studies (Gerard Steen, VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands) 3.2 On the nature and scope of metonymy in linguistic description and explanation: towards settling some controversies (Francisco Ruiz de Mendoza, University of Logroño, Spain) 3.3 Embodied metaphor (Ray Gibbs Jr, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA) 3.4 Idioms and phraseology (Frank Boers, University of Wellington, New Zealand) 3.5 Cognitive Linguistics and language variation (Dirk Geeraerts and Gitte Kristiansen, University of Leuven, Belgium) 3.6 Cognitive poetics (Chloe Harrison and Peter Stockwell, University of Nottingham, UK) 3.7 Cognitive Linguistics and ideology (Veronika Koller, University of Lancaster, UK) 3.8 Phonology (Jose Antonio Mompean Gonzalez, University of Murcia, Spain) 4. New directions and applications. Addresses those areas where there is scope for new developments. 4.1 Corpus and quantitative methods (Stefan Th. Gries, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA) 4.2 Non-linguistic applications of Cognitive Linguistics: On the usefulness of image-schematic metaphors in user interface design (Jörn Hurtienne, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany) 4.3 Language acquisition and language pedagogy (Jörg Roche, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany) 4.4 Metaphor theory for counselling professionals (Dennis Tay, Polytechnic University, Hong Kong) Index

…most major topics are discussed in great depth. Also, it incorporates topics that are largely ignored in the established Cognitive Linguistics handbooks, e.g. variationist linguistics and non-linguistic applications of cognitive-linguistic concepts. It is therefore highly recommended to anyone interested in Cognitive Linguistics, conceptual metaphor theory, and the application of usage-based linguistics in language pedagogy and beyond.

Bloomsbury Companions series is a major series of single volume companions to key research fields in the humanities aimed at postgraduate students, scholars and libraries. Each companion offers a comprehensive reference resource giving an overview of key topics, research areas, new directions and a manageable guide to beginning or developing research in the field. A distinctive feature of the series is that each companion provides practical guidance on advanced study and research in the field, including research methods and subject-specific resources.