gen-define-semantics-versus-pragmatics-and-give-one-short-worked-7719

Define semantics versus pragmatics and give one short worked example.

# Semantics vs Pragmatics **Semantics** is the study of literal meaning—what words and sentences mean based on their dictionary definitions and grammatical structure. **Pragmatics** is the study of meaning in context—how we interpret language based on social situations, speaker intentions, and shared knowledge. ## Worked Example **Utterance:** "Can you pass the salt?" **Semantic meaning:** A yes/no question asking about someone's ability to pass the salt. Literally, it requests information about physical capability. **Pragmatic meaning:** An indirect request for someone to actually pass the salt. In context, this is understood as a polite command, not a genuine question about ability. The expected response is to pass the salt, not to answer "yes" or "no." The semantic analysis gives us the literal meaning, but pragmatic analysis—considering conversational norms, politeness conventions, and context (being at a dinner table)—reveals the speaker's actual intention.