Final answer:
A child is expected to develop an understanding of the subtle pragmatics of speech around the ages of 5 to 6 years old. At this age, children's vocabularies and cognitive skills are sufficiently developed to grasp complex aspects of language, such as jokes, riddles, and societal communication norms. the correct option is b) 5-6 .
Step-by-step explanation:
Child's Understanding of Speech Pragmatics:
b) 5-6 years of age is when a child starts to develop an understanding of the subtle pragmatics of speech. Children around the age of 5 to 6 years old begin to grasp more complex aspects of language, including jokes, riddles, and the ability to make others laugh. They also develop a significant understanding of language pragmatics, which refers to the ability to use language in social contexts.
For instance, by age 5, children generally have a vocabulary of at least 1,500 words, can produce longer sentences, and can define words by their function. They also start to recognize different types of speech, such as humor in simple jokes, and can respond accordingly. These abilities highlight why the 5-6 year age bracket is a critical period for children to begin understanding the subtle pragmatics of language as they engage more with their peers and with adults in varied communicative situations.