Final answer:
Phonetics and semantics are subfields of linguistics, which is the correct answer to the student's question. Linguistics is the scientific study of language, including its social and cultural aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phonetics and semantics are subfields of linguistics, a discipline that encompasses the scientific study of language. Linguistics includes diverse areas of study such as speech sounds, word forms, meanings, and social context. In particular, phonetics involves the study of speech sounds and their production, while semantics focuses on the meaning derived from words and sentences within language. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is a) Linguistics.
Linguistic anthropology, a branch of linguistics, explores the relationship between language and culture, emphasizing how language forms a core component of human culture and sociocultural life. Language plays a significant role in shaping our cognitive processes and social interactions, such as establishing identity, asserting power, or resisting authority.