DENOTATION, CONNOTATION, AND IMPLICATION

DENOTATION, CONNOTATION, AND IMPLICATION

Language is symbolic in that we use it to represent ideas, objects, and feelings. Because language is only representative, you can interpret any given statement in more than one way. Sometimes the difference is simply literal versus figurative interpretation. Denotation and connotation are two more tools you can employ to discern the meaning of an unfamiliar term. For a writer to express herself precisely, she must understand both the denotations and connotations of words, and use that understanding to convey to the reader her exact intent.

Denotation

A word's denotation is the strict dictionary definition of that word and refers to the actual thing or idea it represents. In other words, a denotation is the actual meaning of the word without reference to the emotional associations it can arouse in a reader.

Denotation is the act of using a symbol or a special word to signify an explicit meaning or set of meanings. The particular meaning of a symbol or a word is its denotation.

A denotation is the strict, literal, definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude or color.

Denotation refers to the strict definition of a word, the class of things denoted by a word. It is the referential or dictionary meaning of a lexical meaning.

Denotation refers to the use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word.

Example: 

They built a house.

In the above sentence, house is meant literally as in a building where a family lives. If the word "home" was used instead in the above sentence in place of "house", the meaning would not be so literal as there are many emotions associated with the word "home" beyond simply the structure where people live.

For example the lexeme “mother” has its dictionary definition as “female parent”. 

Connotation

Connotation, on the other hand, goes into the extralinguistic associations and overtones of meanings of words. These meanings would not be explicitly stated in the dictionary. Thus for “mother” the connotative meaning would entail, “compassion, love, comfort, solace, strength” and other maternally eminent qualities.

Several types of connotation can influence the way you think about a word, which are as follows:

Positive (favorable) connotation —Words that make people feel good. The words are giving positive impact to a person. For example: using word challenging instead of difficult.

Negative (unfavorable) connotation —Words that provoke a negative emotional response. Those term considered to be negative where the words describe the negative qualities or the disabilities or disrespect of a person.

Neutral connotation —Words that cause no emotional reaction at all. In this person neither developed a positive nor negative connotation

Below is a list of some common deviations from denotative meanings of words that we experience in our day to day life:

A dog is used to suggest shamelessness or an ugly face.

A dove is used to suggest peace or gentility.

Home is used to suggest family, comfort and security.

Politician has a negative connotation of wicked and insincere person

Pushy refers to someone loud-mouthed and irritating.

Mom and Dad when used instead of mother and father suggest loving parents.

IMPLICATION

-     A possible future effect or result

-     Something that is suggested without being said directly: something that is implied

-     The fact or state of being involved in or connected to something (such as a crime): the fact or state of being implicated in something

-     Implication has many different senses: usually used in plural, implications are effect or consequences that may happen in the future