Shared intentionality in communication is one of the main abilities that has enabled humans to survive and thrive, per Matsumoto (psychology/Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory, San Francisco State U.). This handbook brings together state-of-the-art knowledge in the pivotal field of communication studies. From theoretical and applied perspectives, international contributors treat topics including technically-mediated communication, identity construction, interpersonal linguistic skills at different life stages, and nonverbal and media competencies. Most of the chapters were originally published in Handbook of International Communication, Antos and Ventola, eds., 2007, Berlin, Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. Others were first appeared in the same publisher's Handbook of Communication Competence, Rickheit and Strohner, eds., 2008. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)