What encompasses the use of language in social contexts?

The concept that encompasses the use of language in social contexts is best represented by social communication. Social communication refers to the ways in which individuals use language to interact and convey meaning in various social situations. This includes not only verbal communication but also non-verbal elements, such as body language, gestures, and eye contact. Understanding social cues and responding appropriately in conversations are key aspects of effective social communication.

While social interaction relates to the overall interpersonal exchanges, it does not specifically focus on the linguistic elements or nuances of those exchanges. Language processing pertains to how individuals decode and understand language, which is more about the cognitive mechanisms involved rather than the social context of language use. On the other hand, social cognition involves understanding and interpreting the thoughts, intentions, and emotions of others but again does not specifically focus on the language aspect. Thus, social communication accurately captures the essence of how language functions within social contexts.