What aspect of the interaction between language and society is Dell Hymes particularly focused on?

Dell Hymes is particularly focused on the role of social context in the interaction between language and society. His work emphasizes the idea that language does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it is deeply intertwined with the social environments in which it is used. Hymes introduced the concept of "communicative competence," which goes beyond the rules of grammar to include the social norms and contexts that guide language use. This perspective highlights how understanding a language involves comprehending the cultural and situational factors that influence communication.

In contrast, while dialect formation, language standardization, and language games are significant in the study of language, they do not capture the comprehensive relationship between language and the varying contexts in which it is utilized. Dialect formation examines how different varieties of a language develop, language standardization looks at the establishment of a fixed form of a language, and language games are more focused on specific activities or forms of communication rather than the broader social factors that shape language use. Thus, the emphasis on social context is what sets Hymes' work apart, showcasing the importance of considering the cultural and situational elements that impact how language is communicated and understood.