semantics connotation and dennotation
TRANSCRIPT
Connotation and Denotation
Madiha Mumtaz
Connotation and Denotation both are
principal methods of describing the
meanings of words
Connotation
• Connotation refers to the wide range of
positive and negative associations that are
emotionally or socially connected with words
• It is the emotional and imaginative association
surrounding a word
• Connotation represents the various social hints,
cultural implications or emotional meanings
associated with a sign
Cont…
• Denotation is opposite to connotation
• Connotation and Denotation are not two
separate things or signs
• They are two aspects or elements of a sign
• The connotative meanings of a word exist
together with the denotative meanings
Cont…
• For example, when one say “lady or woman”, it is neutral in meanings but if one say “chick” ,here connotation is associated with that particular lady or woman
• In Urdu language, saying “walid or baap” gives neutral sense but saying “baba jaan, abbu or daddy” shows emotional association so it is connotation which is attached with a peculiar person
Types
There are three types of connotation:
a. POSITIVE Connotation
b. NEGATIVE Connotation
c. NEUTRAL Connotation
POSITIVE Connotation
The first type of connotation is the positive
connotation which is also called the favorable
connotation. In this type, a person feel good about
any word or the word makes them happy. In this, the
words are giving the positive impact to a person.
For example: using the word challenging instead of
difficult, childlike instead of childish, Bazurg instead
of Buddha etc. carries the positive impact and so
these are the positive connotation.
NEGATIVE Connotation
The second type of connotation is the negative
connotation also called unfavorable
connotation. Those terms considered to be
negative where the words describe the negative
qualities or the disabilities or disrespect of a
person.
For example: use of word Buddha for an old
person shows disrespect.
NEUTRAL Connotation
The third type of connotation is neutral
connotation which is very common and widely
used. In this person neither developed a
positive nor negative connotation.
For example: use of word burhha instead of
bazurg .
Other Types of Connotation
Other types of connotation are:
a. Formal connotation
b. Informal connotation
Formal connotation
A formal connotation is an association, primarily
among words and phrases within a language, with
how one act around a figure of authority or someone
else warranting respect, or even a complete stranger
you do not wish to offend.
It is generally a departure from more colloquial
manners of speech in order to avoid portraying too
much closeness between you and the person you are
speaking with.
Con…
This tends to manifest itself, in English at
least, in the use of titles, the avoidance of
contractions, and the lack of "slang". In essay
writing, formality is also established by
avoiding the use of first-person phrases.
For example conversation between student and
teacher.
Informal connotation
When we talk with our friends or with our
Youngers we use Informal connotation. Here
can be use of slang words.
For example : if two friends are talking with
each other they will call each other with not
their names or respect but they will call yar or
may use slang words for each other.
Denotation:
• The Latin word denote means to mark, and
denotation originally meant the act of marking
or the expression of something through a sign.
The literal or primary meaning of a word in
contrast to the feelings or ideas that the words
suggest. For example bhurha
Cont..
• The action or process of indicating or referring
to something by means of a word, symbols etc.
The word “Ghar” refers to a building where
one lives with his family.
• The class of entities that an expression picks
out is called denotation.
• Denotation is the strict dictionary meaning of a
word.
Cont…
• Denotation represents the explicit or referential
meaning of a sign.
• Denotation is when you mean what you say.
• Denotative language is factual.
Comparison
• Denotation is the
straightforward
dictionary definition of
the word. It is the actual
literal definition or
meaning of a word or
term.
• Connotation is an
association of a term. It
can also be an emotional
input attached to a word
thus making it more
figurative and
suggestive.
Cont.
• Denotation gives a
more limited yet
descriptive definition
of a term.
• Connotation can
have a variety of
descriptions affected
by mood, emotion,
experience, and
season, among other
factors.
Examples:
• The words home, house, residence and
dwelling all have the same denotation, but the
connotation of each word is very different.
Examples
Denotation
• Where a person lives
at any given time.
Connotation
• Home: cozy, loving,
comfortable
• House: the actual
building or structure
• Residence: cold, no
feeling
• Dwelling: primitive or
basic surroundings