What does semantics study?

Semantics is fundamentally focused on the study of meaning in language. This branch of linguistics examines how words, phrases, and sentences convey meanings, exploring how context influences the interpretation of language. Semantics encompasses various aspects, such as connotation, denotation, and the relationships between words that contribute to meaning.

Understanding semantics is essential for multiple facets of language use, including communication and comprehension. For instance, it helps to clarify how different words or phrases can have similar or divergent meanings based on their usage in context.

Other areas mentioned in the options, such as syntax and grammar structures, relate more to the arrangement of words and their relationships rather than their meaning. Patterns of speech in different cultures might pertain to sociolinguistics or anthropological linguistics, focusing on speech variations rather than the intrinsic meaning of language itself. The philosophy of language deals with more abstract ideas about language and its functions, rather than the direct study of meaning, which is the core focus of semantics.