The Handbook of Pragmatics aims to provide easy access for scholars with widely divergent backgrounds but with convergent interests in the use and functioning of language to the different topics, traditions and methods which together make up the field of Pragmatics, broadly conceived as "the cognitive, social and cultural study of language and communication".The Handbook of Pragmatics will be an annually updated state-of-the-art publication. The main body of the Handbook will be produced in loose-leaf format in a handsome 3-ring binder and will be accompanied by a bound Manual, which will contain all necessary background information and user guidelines. This Manual will be the first installment of the Handbook. Within the subsequent five years, the loose-leaf Handbook will form the basis of the Handbook proper giving an overview of the sub-fields, traditions, methodologies and concepts of Pragmatics. After this phase, the Handbook will continue to be expanded, topics will be dealt with in depth and updated annually. The project is thus a unique work of reference that guarantees to be always a state-of-the-art source book for researchers.