This volume presents theories of the language of emotions from very different perspectives, encompassing studies by scholars from diverse disciplines, such as linguistics, sociology and psychology. Topics include the analysis of emotions, and emotions in specific cultures.

1. Introduction (by Niemeier, Susanne); 2. I. Theoretical issues in the analysis of emotion; 3. Is the "psychologic" of trust universal? (by Smedslund, Jan); 4. The expressive function of language: Towards a cognitive semantic approach (by Foolen, Ad); 5. Toward a semiotic theory of affect (by Oller, Jr., John W.); 6. Emotions as cause and the cause of emotions (by Dirven, Rene); 7. II. The conceptualization of emotions in specific cultures; 8. Dholuo emotional language: An overview (by Omondi, Lucia); 9. The prepositions we use in the construal of emotions: Why do we say fed up with by sick and tired of? (by Osmond, Meredith); 10. Space, reference, and emotional involvement (by Inchaurralde Besga, Carlos); 11. Surprise, surprise: The iconicity-conventionality scale of emotions (by Kryk-Kastovsky, Barbara); 12. III. Developmental approaches to emotions; 13. The acquisition of verbal expressions for internal states in German: A descriptive, explorative, longitudinal study (by Kauschke, Christina); 14. On the usage of emotional language: A developmental view of the tip of an iceberg (by Bodor, Peter); 15. Emotion talk(s): The role of perspective in the construction of emotions (by Bamberg, Michael); 16. A response to Michael Bamberg (by Wierzbicka, Anna); 17. IV. Emotions in discourse; 18. French interjections and their use in discourse: ah dis donc les vieux souvenirs (by Drescher, Martina); 19. The contextualization of affect in reported dialogues (by Gunthner, Susanne); 20. Nonverbal expression of emotions in a business negotiation (by Niemeier, Susanne); 21. Emotions and emotional language in English and German new stories (by Ungerer, Friedrich); 22. Subject Index