Which feature focuses on the nuances of meaning through intonation?

The correct choice highlights the significance of inflective intonation morphology in understanding nuances of meaning. Inflective intonation refers to the variations in pitch and tone used in speech that can modify or emphasize the intended meaning of a message. For instance, a rising intonation at the end of a statement can imply a question or uncertainty, while a falling intonation can convey certainty or finality. By focusing on how intonation interacts with linguistic elements, inflective intonation morphology helps convey emotions, attitudes, and other subtleties that words alone may not fully express.

The other options relate to different elements of language and communication. Morphologic marking pertains more to structure and form rather than the expressive qualities of speech. Phonemic structure focuses on the sounds of speech and their organizational patterns without emphasizing the emotional or contextual variations provided by intonation. Functional pragmatics deals with context-based usage of language but does not specifically target the role of intonation in conveying subtle meanings. Thus, the selection of inflective intonation morphology stands out as the feature most directly tied to the nuances of meaning expressed through vocal tone and pitch variations.