In Language Creativity: A Semiotic Perspective, Simone Casini aims to frame the concept of creativity within a linguistic dimension by developing a theoretical reflection with constant references to contact languages and to the educational plan. Semiotic creativity abandons the condition of the linguistic property inter pares and rises to the rank of theoretical and first principle by which languages define themselves, function and interact in the negotiation of meaning in relation to the social uses. Casini considers creativity as a premise for the rule changing of boundaries of meaning and creation of language and meaning. The work progresses starting from the historical-critical concept of creativity, discussing the most philosophical and linguistic theories in the North American and European context.

Language Creativity: A Semiotic Perspective frames the concept of creativity within a linguistic dimension by developing a theoretical reflection with constant references to contact languages and to the educational plan. Through the concept of creativity and linguistic rule, Simone Casini highlights how knowing and using a language does not mean using the rules of its grammar, or making well-made phrases that guarantee understanding and communication. Learning and using a language are social activities, constantly hovering between the risks of misunderstanding and the attempt to create upon the field an understanding between users: a meaning that is possible (but not guaranteed) provided that the users themselves are willing to move within creativity to try to identify the most appropriate semiotic roads to convey and create meaning. In the perspective Casini proposes, semiotic creativity abandons the condition of the linguistic property inter pares and rises to the rank of theoretical and first principle by which languages define themselves, function and interact in the negotiation of meaning in relation to the social uses. This book considers creativity as a premise for the rule changing of boundaries of meaning and creation of language and meaning. Casini progresses from the historical-critical concept of creativity and discusses the most philosophical and linguistic theories in the North American and European context.

An introduction and research guide to onomastics the study of names, this book covers the major areas of name study in individual chapters on personal names (anthroponyms), place names (toponyms), acronyms, brand names and trade names. A final chapter treats special areas such as designations for athletic teams, musical groups, and tropical storms, names of awards and alcoholic beverages, animal names, code names, and scientific nomenclature. The wealth of topics covered in each chapter may be gleaned from a listing of their subheadings (see table of contents). Included are such fascinating subjects as pseudonyms and personalized license plates, names for retirement communities and airports, racist and ethnic slurs, eponyms, and names of diseases and syndromes. Every topic comprises a discussion of underlying principles as well as numerous illustrative examples.

Infused with linguistic interpretation, the study provides explanations based on phonetics (sounds of speech), morphology (shapes of names), syntax (place in sentence structure) and semantics (meaning). Throughout, special attention is given to classification and methodologies. The introduction clearly articulates theoretical aspects of onomastics, and a glossary of linguistic and onomastic terms appears as an appendix. Additional appendixes provide information on organizations and journals related to the field and a list of onomastic bibliographies. An extensive reference list and index complete the work. Useful as a text or reference book, The Study of Names is explicit enough to inform students of linguistics, yet clear and lively enough to be a good read for anyone interested in names and naming.

The status of older adults has become increasingly important in our aging society. Print and non-print media both reflect and shape society's attitude toward the aged. This bibliography documents the now extensive research on the depiction of older adults in print and non-print media. The volume includes more than 550 entries for books and articles. The entries are arranged in 21 topical chapters, and each citation is accompanied by a detailed annotation. The author and subject indexes that conclude the work enhance its value as a reference. The volume begins with an introduction that discusses the depiction of the aged in various media forms, and which considers issues such as ageism, stereotypes of the elderly, and the nature of communication. Bibliographic entries follow. The first set of chapters include entries for related bibliographies and on works that treat general topics about aging and communications. The next set of chapters contains entries on images of the older adult in different print media, including literature, newspapers, greeting cards, and magazines. A final set of chapters considers the depiction of older adults in non-print media, such as music, film, and television.