'Mikhail Kissine provides a most comprehensive and compelling case for the study of literal and nonliteral speech acts within a rigorously naturalistic approach. His data and arguments, which challenge theoretical confusions and prevalent assumptions, make up a major breakthrough. From Utterances to Speech Acts is an engaging read, novel and eye-opening - a lucid, evidence-based model of the study of direct and indirect language use among typically and atypically developing individuals.' Rachel Giora, Tel Aviv University