CONTEXT-DEPENDENT MEANING: WHERE SEMANTICS ENDS AND PRAGMATICS BEGINS

Language is a multifaceted system in which meaning emerges from the interplay between lexical content and situational context. Semantics focuses on the inherent meaning of words and structures, while pragmatics addresses the meaning derived from context, speaker intention and social norms. This paper explores the boundary between semantics and pragmatics, emphasizing how context-dependent meaning challenges traditional linguistic categorization. Through theoretical discussion and practical examples, the study highlights the crucial role of pragmatic inference in effective communication and the limitations of purely semantic analysis.