Theodoor Jacob "Theo" van Leeuwen FAHA (born 1947)[1] is a Dutch linguist and one of the main developers of the sub-field of social semiotics.
[2][3] He is also known for his contributions to the study of Multimodality; he wrote with Gunther Kress Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design, one of the most influential books on the topic.
[4] Van Leeuwen obtained a BA in scriptwriting and direction from the Netherlands Film Academy in Amsterdam in 1972.
[1] Van Leeuwen worked as a director, script writer, and producer for film and television in both Holland and Australia.
[1] Van Leeuwen has taught communication theory at Macquarie University and the London College of Printing, and has taught courses at universities in Amsterdam, Vancouver, Vienna, Madrid, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Auckland.