Illustrated with examples from a rich range of languages and genres, this book provides a state-of-the-art introduction to the meanings and functions of connectives, and the discourse relations they communicate. It begins with theoretical chapters that illustrate the many interfaces present in the study of connectives and discourse relations, using diachronic data to illustrate how connectives incorporate such a wide range of functions in synchronic language use. The second half of the book presents the rapidly growing body of studies that have used empirical data to assess theories of connectives and discourse relations, spanning fields as diverse as discourse processing, first and second language acquisition, and cross-linguistic studies. End-of-chapter discussion questions and lists of further readings are included, along with a comprehensive glossary of key terms. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available open access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.

‘Zufferey and Degand offer a comprehensive account of discourse relations expressed with and without connectives, one of the hottest - and also controversial - topics in linguistics and psycholinguistics. It is an excellent resource for those interested in discourse processing and comprehension from a both a theoretical and applied perspective.’Maria-Josep Cuenca, Professor of Catalan Linguistics at the University of València, Spain

‘This is essential reading for any scholar interested in discourse coherence. It gives a comprehensive, extremely well written and up-to-date overview of the central theories, models, methodologies, findings and issues in this field. I will recommend this book to all my colleagues and advanced students of language and communication.’Wilbert Spooren, Professor of Discourse Studies of Dutch, CLS, Radboud University Nijmegen

‘This is a comprehensible and comprehensive book on a crucial topic in discourse and pragmatics. The authors carefully introduce the central concepts and highlight important topics in the field. I whole-heartedly agree with their focus on converging evidence. Finally, the book is useful as an introduction, but it is also of great value for experts who can consult separate chapters for updates or for different perspectives.’Ted J.M. Sanders, Professor of Discourse Studies, Utrecht University

‘This volume fills a gap by giving a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art with respect to discourse connectives. The text is well structured and authoritative, and the main points of the individual chapters are clearly signposted. The clarity of the exposition makes this book an ideal choice for postgraduate-taught and advanced-level undergraduate students, its usefulness as a teaching resource being further enhanced by the ‘Discussion Points’ and suggestions for ‘Further Reading’ at the end of each chapter.’Maj-Britt Mosegaard Hansen, Professor of Linguistics and Pragmatics, The University of Manchester