Manjeet of Class V speaks in different ways to his teacher, to his friends and also to a two-year-old child. It means Manjeet knows how to use language in social situations. What is this attribute of a language known as?

Correct Answer: Pragmatics

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Scenario:
In the given question, Manjeet adjusts his language and tone depending on who he is speaking to—using formal language with his teacher, casual language with his friends, and simplified language with a two-year-old child. This demonstrates an understanding of how to use language appropriately in different social contexts.

2. Defining Pragmatics:
Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics and semiotics that studies how context influences the interpretation and use of language. It deals with the practical aspects of human communication, including how speakers adjust their language based on the social situation, audience, and implicit rules of conversation.

3. Analyzing the Options:
• Act of speech: Refers to individual utterances that serve a performative function (e.g., promising, requesting, apologizing), but does not encompass the broader social rules of language adaptation.
• Naturalist: Relates to natural history or an appreciation of nature, which is irrelevant to linguistic competence.
• Semantics: Focuses on the literal meaning of words, phrases, and sentences rather than their social context or usage.
• Pragmatics: Specifically refers to using language appropriately according to the social situation, topic, and listener.

Thus, Manjeet's ability to adapt his language in different social situations is known as Pragmatics.