Sentence meaning underdetermines what speakers actually convey. Pragmatics is the study of how context, intention, and interaction shape the interpretation of language in use.

Topics include deixis, presupposition, implicature, speech acts, and politeness. Pragmatics explains how Can you pass the salt? functions as a request rather than a question about ability. Cross-cultural pragmatic differences cause misunderstandings even when grammar is shared.

The field draws on philosophy of language, anthropology, and cognitive science. Applied pragmatics informs language teaching, translation, and human-computer dialogue design. Without pragmatic inference, literal decoding leaves communication thin and often odd.

• Study of meaning in context and interaction
• Covers implicature, speech acts, and deixis
• Explains non-literal and implied meanings
• Crucial for cross-cultural communication