Connotation and Denotation
In addition to specific figurative or literal words, entire phrases can offer implied or direct meanings. We refer to these differences in presenting meaning as connotation or denotation. Connotation is when meaning is implied, and denotation is when meaning is directly stated. Authors may use either or both of these within a text to make a point or provide supporting details.
Review this article on connotation and demotion and pay attention to the examples.
Connotation
Connotation is a meaning that is suggested or implied, as opposed to a denotation, or literal definition.
Usage
Today the word has different meanings, but it is always used for the contrast of a word or phrase with its primary, literal meaning (known as a denotation). That can be an implied value judgement or feelings.
- A stubborn person may be described as being either strong-willed or pig-headed. Although these have the same literal meaning (i.e. stubborn), strong-willed connotes admiration for the level of someone's will, while pig-headed connotes frustration in dealing with someone. Likewise, used car and previously owned car have the same literal meaning, but many dealerships prefer the latter, since it is thought to have fewer negative connotations.
- It is often useful to avoid words with strong connotations (especially negative ones) when striving to achieve a neutral point of view. A desire for more positive connotations, or fewer negative ones, is one of the main reasons for using euphemisms.
Denotation
In logic, linguistics and semiotics, a denotation of a word or phrase is a part of its meaning.
Examples
In order to understand fully the difference between denotation and connotation in the media studies and semiotics uses it is necessary to become familiar with some examples:
The denotation of this example is a red rose with a green stem. The connotation is that it is a symbol of passion and love - this is what the rose represents.
The denotation is a brown cross. The connotation is a symbol of religion, according to the media connotation. However, to be more specific this is a symbol of Christianity.
The denotation is a representation of a cartoon heart. The connotation is a symbol of love and affection, not in the way of a rose, but a symbol of true love.
Different aspects of meaning
Several parts of meaning may be called denotation. That depends on the contrast being drawn.
- Connotation and denotation are either
- in basic semantics and literary theory, the figurative and literal meanings of a word, or
- in philosophy, logic and parts of linguistics, the intension and extension of a word
- in basic semantics and literary theory, the figurative and literal meanings of a word, or
- Denotation can be synonymous with reference in the sense and reference in philosophy of language.
- In Computer science, denotational semantics is contrasted with operational semantics.
- In Semiotics, denotation also has its own meaning.
- In media-studies terminology, denotation is the first level of analysis: what the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor. Here it is usually coupled with connotation which is the second level of analysis, being what the denotation represents
In logic and semantics, denotational always attracts the extension meaning "in the pair", but the other element genuinely varies. See intension for some more discussion.
A denotation is the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or colour.
Denotation often links with symbolism, as the denotation of a particular media text often represents something further; a hidden meaning (or an Engima Code) is often encoded into a media text.
Source: Wikipedia, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connotation, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denotation
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