What is the study of the social aspects of language use known as?

The study of the social aspects of language use is known as pragmatics. This field explores how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication. Pragmatics considers factors such as speaker intent, the relationship between communicators, and the setting in which the communication occurs, making it central to understanding how people convey and interpret messages in social interactions.

For example, pragmatics examines how politeness, irony, and different conversational styles can shift meaning based on social norms and expectations. This focus on the interplay between language and social context distinguishes pragmatics from other language studies, which may focus more on structure or meaning in isolation without considering the social dynamics involved.