This is the first book of its kind that explains the basic concepts, theoretical foundations and systematic research of linguistic semiotics, so as to establish a well-founded framework for linguistic semiotics as an independent discipline. While examining the major claims of different schools of semiotics, it also addresses 12 central issues concerning linguistic semiotics, and outlines semiotic studies in China focusing on the multiple research areas and accomplishments. In addition to illustrations and tables, the book offers an ¿Index of References in Linguistic Semiotics¿ consisting of 1,063 entries, including monographs, journal papers, conference proceedings, etc. in Chinese, English and Russian.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 2 Introduction to Linguistic Semiotics.- Chapter 3 The Binary Opposition of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 4 The Hierarchy of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 5 Meaning of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 6 Reference of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 7 Relations between linguistic signs.- Chapter 8 Synchrony and Diachrony of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 9 Functions of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 10 The Subjective Approach to Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 11 The Dual Metaphorical View of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 12 The Converseness of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 13 The Iconicity of Linguistic Signs.- Chapter 14Two Decades of Semiotic Studies in China.- Chapter 15A Bibliometric Analysis of Chinese Semiotics.- Chapter 16 Representative Works of Chinese Semiotic Studies.- Chapter 17The Historical Mission of Chinese Semiotics. 

Prof. Mingyu Wang is a doctoral supervisor, post-doctoral cooperative supervisor, chairman of the Committee of Semiotics of the Chinese Society of Logic, and president of the Chinese Association for Language and Semiotic Studies. Prof. Wang is a 'Longjiang Scholar' Specially Appointed Professor, Tianjin Specially Appointed Professor, Outstanding Tianjin 'Jinmen Scholar' and winner of Tianjin's Top Teacher Award. He is winner of the Russian 'Pushkin Medal' and the Russian 'Friendship and Cooperation Medal'.  

Prof. Wang is a former editor-in-chief of Foreign Language Research and current editorial board member of 10 foreign language journals in China. He is also vice chairman of the Russian Language Teaching Advisory Board under the National Foreign Languages Teaching Advisory Committee, president of the Tianjin Association for Foreign Language Studies and director of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Association for MTI Education. He is a specially appointed expert of the National Textbook Committee and visiting professor and adjunct researcher at 12 universities and research institutes. Prof. Wang is accomplished in linguistic semiotics, general linguistics, functional linguistics, foreign language pedagogy and other fields, and his representative works include Linguistic Semiotics, Modern Linguistic Semiotics, Semiotics Thoughts, Functional Linguistics and A New Coursebook on Foreign Language Teaching.