interactional sociolinguistics

Interactional sociolinguistics is the study of how people communicate and interpret meanings in everyday conversations within social contexts. It examines how language use reflects cultural norms, relationships, and social identities, as well as how speakers manage misunderstandings or contextual clues to ensure effective communication. This field considers not just what is said, but how tone, gestures, and background knowledge influence understanding, helping to reveal the social dynamics at play during interactions.