The Handbook consists of four major sections. Each section is introduced by a main article: Theories of Emotion - General Aspects Perspectives in Communication Theory, Semiotics, and Linguistics Perspectives on Language and Emotion in Cultural Studies Interdisciplinary and Applied Perspectives The first section presents interdisciplinary emotion theories relevant for the field of language and communication research, including the history of emotion research. The second section focuses on the full range of emotion-related aspects in linguistics, semiotics, and communication theories. The next section focuses on cultural studies and language and emotion; emotions in arts and literature, as well as research on emotion in literary studies; and media and emotion. The final section covers different domains, social practices, and applications, such as society, policy, diplomacy, economics and business communication, religion and emotional language, the domain of affective computing in human-machine interaction, and language and emotion research for language education. Overall, this Handbook represents a comprehensive overview in a rich, diverse compendium never before published in this particular domain.

The Handbook consists of four major sections. Each section is introduced by a main article: Theories of Emotion - General Aspects Perspectives in Communication Theory, Semiotics, and Linguistics Perspectives on Language and Emotion in Cultural Studies Interdisciplinary and Applied Perspectives The first section presents interdisciplinary emotion theories relevant for the field of language and communication research, including the history of emotion research. The second section focuses on the full range of emotion-related aspects in linguistics, semiotics, and communication theories. The next section focuses on cultural studies and language and emotion; emotions in arts and literature, as well as research on emotion in literary studies; and media and emotion. The final section covers different domains, social practices, and applications, such as society, policy, diplomacy, economics and business communication, religion and emotional language, the domain of affective computing in human-machine interaction, and language and emotion research for language education. Overall, this Handbook represents a comprehensive overview in a rich, diverse compendium never before published in this particular domain.

The handbook Language and Emotion is intended to give a historical and systematic profile of the area. It will aim to connect contemporary and historical theories, approaches, and applications and to cover eastern and western perspectives of language, communication, and emotion. It will present all relevant aspects of language and emotion and thus contribute significantly to research in the field of linguistics and semiotics of emotion.

In the historiography of the 18th century German philosophy and literature, the German tradition of language-based epistemology is largely overshadowed by the attention given to rationalist thought currents. The tradition of thought harking back to Leibniz' concept of cognitio symbolica and to English empiricism as represented by Bacon and Locke is frequently neglected, although this approach with its reconciliation of rationalist and empiricist elements was sustained until the end of the 18th century. With reference to empirically verifiable sources, the present study undertakes a systematic outline of the evolution of a semiotic concept of knowledge as reflected in the theoretical writings of the important philosopher and scientist Johann Heinrich Lambert (1728-1777), in the consistent incorporation of that concept in Herder's "Metakritik" and in the poetological account it is turned to in Jean Paul's "Vorschule der A"sthetik" and Novalis' 'theoretical' works.