Final answer:
Semantics (option c) is the study of the meaning of words, which examines how meaning is derived from the structure and usage of language, playing an essential role in communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of the meaning of words is called semantics. In semantics, we explore how morphology, which encompasses the structure of words, and phonology, the study of phonemes as the smallest units of sound, contribute to semantic encoding of language. Every language defines its own set of rules, encompassing both semantics and syntax, the latter of which refers to the arrangement of words into coherent sentences. Semantics not only involves the definitions that dictionaries provide but also considers context, connotations, and the cultural implications of language. This allows for effective communication, as seen through the history of writing evolving from pictographs to alphabets in systems such as cuneiform.
Furthermore, the study of semantics is intrinsic to understanding how knowledge is communicated and underpins how we interact within our society. Whether in the spoken, signed, or written form, the semantic understanding of language is essential for coherent communication. Fields such as semiotics and structuralism further expand on this by analyzing how meaning is created through both linguistic and nonlinguistic symbols.