Which term best describes the use of language in its social context?

The term that best describes the use of language in its social context is "pragmatic characteristics." Pragmatics focuses on how language is used in real-life situations, considering the context, intent, and the relationship between speakers and listeners. It encompasses aspects such as politeness, humor, and conversational norms, which are essential for effective communication in various social settings. Understanding pragmatics allows individuals to navigate social interactions appropriately, interpreting meaning beyond the literal definitions of words and phrases.

The other options pertain to different linguistic aspects: semantics deals with meaning itself rather than the use of language in context; phonemic awareness involves the recognition and manipulation of sounds in speech, which is more about phonetics than social usage; and syntactic structures focus on the arrangement of words and sentences, which does not address the social dimensions of language use.