Framing is currently a principal concern within the field of discourse analysis. The `frame' of a given speech-act is its psychological setting. Both the speaker and the hearer have certain expectations based on their perceptions of the frame, and this affects their choice of words and their understanding of what is said.

The essays in this book not only address issues central to current theoretical discussion but demonstrate the application of the theory in concrete discourse contexts. The collection includes three previously published papers and six which are new for this volume.

Contributors: Cynthia Wallat, Branca T. Ribeiro, Susan Hoyle, Frances Lee Smith, Suwako Watanabe, Carolyn A. Straehle, Deborah Schiffrin, Deborah Tannen