What does the field of semantics primarily study?

• A. The structure of sentences
• B. The study of meaning in language
• C. The sound systems of a language
• D. The contextual use of language

Answer: (B)

The field of semantics primarily focuses on the study of meaning in language. This area of linguistics delves into how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning and how this meaning can change depending on context, usage, and interpretation. Semantics examines not only the meanings of individual words but also how those meanings combine in larger structures, as well as the implications and nuances that arise in different communicative situations.

In contrast, other fields such as syntax concentrate on the structure of sentences, while phonetics and phonology are concerned with the sound systems of a language. Pragmatics explores how context influences the interpretation of meaning, but it is a distinct area that goes beyond semantics, making semantics specific to meaning itself. Thus, the emphasis on meaning makes the selection the best representation of what semantics encompasses.