The writer wants to place the argument of the passage in the context of linguistic debates about whether emojis function as a language. Which of the following sentences, if placed after sentence 1, would best accomplish this goal?

a) Linguistic debates often question the role of emojis in serving as a language.
b) Emojis have sparked debates within linguistics, with discussions centering on their language-like functions.
c) The passage raises questions about emojis and their place in ongoing linguistic debates.
d) Delving into linguistic discussions, the passage explores whether emojis can truly be considered a language.