How are semantics and pragmatics related, and how do they differ?
(1) Semantics and pragmatics are two branches of linguistics.(2) Both are linguistic studies of meaning.(3) In semantics, meaning of language is considered as something intrinsic, and inherent. The meanings of words, meanings of sentences are all studied in an isolated manner, detached from the context in which they are used. Semantics is mainly concerned with the meanings of words and sentences in isolation.(4) In pragmatics, the context of language used is considered. The real situations of communication, the knowledge shared by the speaker and the hearer must be included. Pragmatics is mainly concerned with the meanings of utterances (sentences used in context), the intended meanings of the speaker in uttering sentences in contexts.
