Studies on multilingualism embody a range of theoretical approaches, research paradigms, and methods. In this book, the third publication in the Hamburg studies on multilingualism series, the focus is on the form-function relationship between the languages involved in multilingual communication and on the mechanisms that relate multilingual communicative processes to social structures. The volume consists of 11 chapters divided into three sections, and two useful appendixes (author and subject indexes). The editing is highly competent and the selection of papers is excellent in quality and scope. Papers mostly emerge from colloquia on linguistic aspects of multilingualism organized by the Research Centre on Multilingualism at the University of Hamburg; many provide access to empirical studies that had previously existed only as unpublished manuscripts or research reports. Most of the contributions deal with the creation of differentiated, multilingual communication systems due to the mutual influence of languages in contact, whereas others deal with functional explanations of problems in second language (L2) use.

In the introductory section, the editors reflect upon different aspects of multilingual communication and briefly summarize the contents of each of the collected papers. A paper by Clyne on language policy then follows. In addition to setting up an agenda for developing multilingual communication, he discusses different myths and problems with the popular view that multilingual communication will soon become unnecessary because everyone will be able to communicate in a lingua franca (i.e., in English).

Part 1, “Mediated multilingual communication,” contains four chapters that highlight different aspects of interpretation or translation as practices of mediation in institutional contexts. Bührig and Meyer address functional explanations of problems in L2 use by focusing on the achievement of communicative purposes in doctor-patient communication. They demonstrate that even linguistically skilled interpreters with near-native competence in both languages have difficulties recognizing and processing the institutional dimensions of doctor-patient communication in the L2. The next three papers deal with English-German genre-mixing; speaking and writing (Biber, 1988; House, 1997) are central concepts. Within this framework, Baumgarten and Probst examine the role of English as a global lingua franca and its impact on German text norms via translation. The next two chapters slightly change the method of inquiry, exploring genre-mixing by means of connectivity. Thus, Bührig and House use data-driven connective categories (e.g., temporal expressions, discourse markers, deictics, and parallelism/repetition) to illustrate how the form-function relationship in a German translation deviates from its American original, which pushes “the communicative quality of the German text into the direction of ‘writtenness’” (p. 107). In the last chapter, Böttger investigates how English corporate philosophies change as a result of the process of translation.

Part 2, “Code-switching,” deals with functional explanations of code-switching in L2 use, not focusing on the phenomenon as a means for resolving communicative problems but as a resource for constructing and enacting social and ethnic identities or as a signal for world-switching. Holmes and Stubbe explore the former function by detailed analyses of transcripts of talk between members of different ethnic groups in New Zealand; Edmondson examines the latter by looking at classroom observation data. In the final chapter, Franceschini, Krick, Behrent, and Reith address code-switching from a neurolinguistic angle. By analyzing neurobiological data, they tentatively identify code-switching with an activated neuronal system not specific to language that seems to fulfill general functions related to attention, comparison, and control.

The two chapters in Part 3, “Rapport and politeness,” deal with pragmatic transfer of cultural patterns of politeness, which, due to different social structures, lead to mismanagement or alternative management of communication. Thus, Spencer-Oatey and Xing examine problems within the affective dimension as experienced by British and Chinese businesspeople in their attempts to achieve rapport. Their interesting study of rapport management data is set within the framework of Coupland, Wienemann, and Giles (1991). Rehbein and Fienemann address the issue of introduction within polite action and develop a six-stage model for people becoming acquainted. By analyzing a videotaped and transcribed section of intercultural communication with German as a lingua franca, the authors demonstrate how a special type of discourse might deescalate the perception of lingua franca impoliteness due to the transfer of varying cultural concepts of politeness into German.

Part 4, “Grammar and discourse in a contrastive perspective,” focuses on politeness from a different angle (i.e., on the pragmatic effects of L2 speakers' faulty mastery of modals). Kameyama investigates in detail modal expressions in Japanese and German and their form-function mismatch in L2 Japanese, suggesting a heightened awareness of these expressions in foreign language learning. Hohenstein makes a similar analysis of complement constructions with matrix verbs of thinking and assessing, also pinpointing some characteristic functional differences in Japanese and German.

This is an excellent volume that offers a good survey of theoretical principles, analytic procedures based on empirical data, and an up-to-date overview of the latest literature within this field of study. There is much to be learned from this book for students, teachers, and scholars interested in multilingual communication.