the.com/pragmatics
The study of what you meant, not just what you said.
means The branch of linguistics examining how context shapes meaning beyond the literal words spoken.
from From Greek pragma, meaning deed or affair — language as action, not just abstract symbols. Philosopher Charles Morris coined the modern term in the 1930s, splitting sign-study into syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
Can you pass saltA question that is secretly a command.
Grice's rulesWe assume speakers cooperate, so subtext lands.
Sarcasm lives hereLiteral meaning and intended meaning openly disagree.