What term describes the set of rules dictating communication behavior in a particular context?

The term that describes the set of rules dictating communication behavior in a particular context is pragmatics. Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics that studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning. It encompasses the social aspects of language usage, including how speakers and listeners navigate meaning through their interaction. This includes the underlying social norms, cultural cues, and situational factors that affect communication.

In contrast to the other options, syntax refers specifically to the structure of sentences and the rules that govern sentence formation. Semiotics focuses on the study of signs and symbols, their use and interpretation in communication systems. Phonetics deals with the sounds of human speech and their physical properties. While all of these aspects are related to language, it is pragmatics that specifically pertains to the strategies and norms guiding how language is used in different contexts.