What does pragmatics study in linguistics?

• A. The organization of words in sentences
• B. The relationships among speech sounds
• C. The contextual influences on meaning
• D. The biological basis of language

Answer: (C)

Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that focuses on how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication. It examines how the circumstances in which language is used—such as the speaker's intention, the relationship between the speaker and listener, and cultural factors—affect understanding. This encompasses not just the literal meaning of words, but also the implied meanings and the nuances that arise in different contexts. For instance, pragmatics would analyze how sarcasm, politeness, and conversational implicatures shape what is understood during a conversation.

In contrast, the other choices describe different aspects of language: the organization of words in sentences relates to syntax, relationships among speech sounds pertain to phonetics or phonology, and the biological basis of language would delve into neurolinguistics or cognitive science. Each of those areas contributes to a broader understanding of language but do not address how context impacts meaning, which is the central concern of pragmatics.