What is the term for sequences of language that are larger than a single sentence?

The term that refers to sequences of language that are larger than a single sentence is discourse. Discourse encompasses various forms of communication, including conversations, written texts, and spoken exchanges that extend beyond the limitations of individual sentences. This term is essential in understanding how language operates in broader contexts, emphasizing the connections and meanings conveyed through larger segments of language.

Discourse analysis, for example, looks at how these larger units function in various social contexts and how they can convey implicit meanings and relationships between speakers. Recognizing discourse allows for a deeper understanding of communication styles and the role of context in interpreting language, making it a foundational concept in the study of linguistics and language use.

Other options, while related to language, do not pertain to language sequences larger than a single sentence. Dialects refer to variations within a language based on geographical or social factors, ethnolects denote language varieties specific to particular ethnic groups, and etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words. Each of these concepts plays a role in the study of language, but they do not address the length of language sequences.