What is Pragmatics and Difference between Semantics and Pragmatics

 Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics that deals with the study of how language is used in context to convey meaning beyond the literal definitions of words and sentences. It focuses on the interpretation of language in real-life situations, taking into account the context, speaker's intentions, and the effect on the listener or reader. Pragmatics explores how language users understand and produce speech acts, implicatures, presuppositions, and various conversational principles that guide communication.

Here's the key difference between semantics and pragmatics:

Semantics

1. Semantics is concerned with the study of meaning within language.
2. It focuses on the relationships between words, phrases, and sentences and their literal or denotative meanings.
3. Semantics deals with the static meaning of words and how they combine to form meaningful sentences.
4. It is more concerned with the linguistic aspects of meaning.

Pragmatics

1. Pragmatics deals with meaning in context, beyond the literal meaning of words and sentences.
2. It explores how language is used in communication, considering the intentions of the speaker, the context, and the interpretation by the listener.
3. Pragmatics deals with the dynamic aspects of meaning, such as speech acts (e.g., requests, promises), implicatures (unstated meanings), presuppositions (assumed information), and the pragmatics of conversation.
4. It is more concerned with the use of language in real-world situations and the social and cultural factors that influence communication.

In essence, semantics focuses on the meaning of individual words and sentences, while pragmatics delves into how language is used to convey meaning in the broader context of communication, considering the speaker's and listener's intentions and the cultural norms governing language use.