In Key terms in semiotics, Martin & Ringham more than deliver on their title's promise, situating a well-chosen glossary of key terms and concepts between a brief introduction to semiotic theory and its history, and 12 short essays on key thinkers in, or important to, semiotics. The book also includes a bibliography of key texts in semiotics, along with an example of semiotic analysis.

Martin & Ringham's introduction is divided between a brief history of semiotic theory and a section that outlines semiotics as a tool for the analysis of texts. The history section focuses on Greimas and the development of the Paris School of Semiotics. It introduces many of the big names in semiotic theory such as Peirce, Saussure, and Lévi-Strauss, and establishes the long-standing relationship between semiotics and theories of narrative. In the section on semiotics as a tool for analysis, the authors describe the basic principles of semiotic analysis and sketch some of the schemas and models used to interpret, or in their terms “decode,” a text. While the section is short on examples, the authors make up for this by including a sample analysis of “Sleeping beauty” toward the end of their text.

In the key terms section, the authors move their discussion of semiotics beyond the Paris School. This section includes descriptions of other schools of semiotics, the Moscow-Tartu School for example, and defines terms not specific to semiotics (morphology, syntax) but nevertheless essential to a full understanding of semiotic theory. The definitions are clearly written, and the authors do an admirable job of explaining difficult concepts without sacrificing too much in the way of depth. The definitions are thoroughly cross-referenced and followed by “see also” notes. This section's combination of breadth and clarity makes it both a handy reference tool and an opportunity to discover new ideas and approaches to the subject.

Sections on key thinkers and texts in semiotics follow the section on terms. The key thinkers section is composed of 12 essays on scholars who have made significant contributions to semiotic theory. These are essentially intellectual biographies followed by references to their major works, and secondary readings. A short but thoughtful key texts section again emphasizes the Paris School, but also contains references to related works in linguistics, anthropology, and narrative and literary theory.

Key terms in semiotics is a solid reference for students new to semiotics, and Martin & Ringham lend clarity to a subject that can, to the uninitiated, seem terribly obscure. It would be an excellent supplement not only to an undergraduate course in linguistics or narrative but also to any course in that deals with theories of language.