Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics that studies the meaning and use of language in context. It explores how people use language to communicate effectively, considering factors like:
* Speaker intention: What does the speaker mean to convey beyond the literal meaning of words?
* Context: How does the situation, relationship between speakers, and shared knowledge influence meaning?
* Implicature: What is implied or understood but not explicitly stated?
* Speech acts: How do utterances perform actions (e.g., making a request, giving a command)?
* Politeness: How do people use language to show respect and maintain social harmony?
* Conversational structure: How do people take turns, manage interruptions, and understand the flow of a conversation?
In short, pragmatics helps us understand how language is used to create meaning, build relationships, and navigate social interactions. It goes beyond the literal meaning of words to explore the hidden layers of communication that allow us to make sense of what is said and how it is said.