What is the study of language used in social interactions called?

The study of language used in social interactions is referred to as pragmatics. This field of linguistics focuses on how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication. Pragmatics examines various elements such as the speaker's intent, the relationship between participants, and social norms that impact how messages are conveyed and understood. For example, it considers how the meaning of a statement might change based on the situation, tone, or even cultural background of the individuals involved.

Understanding pragmatics is essential, especially in language learning, as it helps learners grasp not just the words being used but also how to use language appropriately in different social contexts. This ability to navigate social interactions effectively is crucial for successful communication, particularly for speakers of other languages who might not be familiar with the subtleties of social language use.

The other options, while related to aspects of language, do not pertain to social interactions in the same way. Phonemic awareness focuses on the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words; diphthongs refer to complex vowel sounds in phonetics; and phonics is about the relationship between sounds and their written form. Therefore, pragmatics is the correct term that specifically addresses the social dimensions of language.