Acknowledgements -- List of figures -- Chapter One: Introduction: the general context -- 1.1 The scope of this book -- 1.2 Semiotics -- 1.3 Semiotics and linguistics -- 1.4 Psychological vs. sociological vs. pure-systematic approaches -- 1.5 Relativism vs. universalism -- Chapter Two: Standard axiomatic functionalism -- 2.1 On the nature of theory -- 2.2 Standard axiomatic functionalism: basic components -- 2.3 Realisational aspects of standard axiomatic functionalism -- 2.4 Incomplete neutralization and imperfect homonymy -- 2.5 Hervey's strategy of language -- 2.6 Modified standard axiomatic functionalism -- 2.7 Nuance and imperfect synonymy -- Chapter Three: Extended axiomatic functionalism -- 3.1 Extended axiomatic functionalism: basic components -- 3.2 An assessment of the terminology of extended axiomatic functionalism -- Chapter Four: Signum-ontological implications -- 4.1 Free allomorphy -- 4.2 Allodely/polydely -- 4.3 Allosemy/polysemy -- 4.4 Allosemony and allomorphony: theoretical and descriptive parallels -- Chapter Five: Canonicality and figures of speech -- 5.1 Canonicality -- 5.2 Literal and figurative language -- 5.3 Metaphor -- 5.4 Simile -- 5.5 Non-purportive figures of speech: irony, hyperbole and understatement -- 5.6 Euphemism -- 5.7 Figurative language: an overview -- Chapter Six: Wider implications -- 6.1 Canonicality, prototypicality and the core-linguistics~psycholinguistics interface -- 6.2 Figures of speech as potential linguistic universals -- 6.3 Types of connotation -- 6.4 Metaphor understanding and interpretive pragmatics -- 6.5 Connotational context and the multiple conventionality of metaphor -- 6.6 From figures of speech to figures of attitude -- 6.7 The core-linguistics~text-linguistics interface -- 6.8 Lexological implications -- 6.9 Conclusion.

Appendix: Provisional postulates for extended axiomatic functionalism -- Introduction -- Provisional postulates for extended axiomatic functionalism -- Notes -- References -- Index to the provisional postulates for extended axiomatic functionalism -- Index of names -- Subject index.