discourse semantics

Discourse semantics studies how meaning is created and conveyed across entire conversations, texts, or dialogues, rather than individual words or sentences alone. It examines how context, previous statements, and shared knowledge influence understanding, ensuring communication is coherent and meaningful. For example, the meaning of "it" depends on what was previously mentioned, and how speakers interpret references or implied ideas. This field helps us understand how people construct and interpret messages in real-world interactions, making communication clearer and more effective by considering the larger conversation rather than isolated sentences.