What is the focus of semantics in language?

The focus of semantics in language is on word meaning. Semantics examines how words and phrases convey specific meanings and how these meanings contribute to communication. This field is essential for understanding how vocabulary is constructed and interpreted, including denotations (literal meanings) and connotations (associated meanings) of words.

By studying semantics, one gains insights into how meaning is derived from individual words, as well as how context can influence interpretation. This is especially important in education, where understanding word meanings can significantly enhance reading comprehension and effective communication skills in students.

Choices related to speech sound production, sentence structure, and language use in context pertain to other aspects of language study: phonetics or phonology (for speech sounds), syntax (for sentence structure), and pragmatics (for context-based language use). While all these areas are integral to understanding language as a whole, semantics specifically centers on the meaning aspect.