Connotation, Dennotation and Implication
Connotation Definition
Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the
thing which it describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional
associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations.
Function of Connotation
In
literature, connotation paves way for creativity by using figures of speech
like metaphor, simile, symbolism, personification etc. Had
writers contented themselves with only the literal meanings, there would have
been no way to compare abstract ideas to concrete concepts in order to give
readers a better understanding .Therefore, connotative meanings of words allow
writers to add to their works, dimensions which are broader, more vivid and
fresher.
Connotation is an implied
meaning that is associated with a word in addition to its literal meaning. This
association can be cultural or emotional.
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words may have positive or negative
connotations that depend upon the social, cultural and personal experiences of
individuals. For example, the words childish, childlike and youthful have the
same denotative but different connotative meanings. Childish and childlike have
a negative connotation as they refer to immature behavior of a person. Whereas,
youthful implies that a person is lively and energetic.
Below are a few
connotation examples. Their suggested meanings are shaped by cultural and
emotional associations:
- A dog connotes shamelessness or an ugly face.
- A dove implies peace or gentility.
- Home suggests family, comfort and security.
- Politician has a negative connotation of wickedness and insincerity while statesperson connotes sincerity.
- Pushy refers to someone loud-mouthed and irritating.
- Mom and Dad when used in place of mother and father connote loving parents.
Positive Connotations
- Childlike
- Dove (peace)
- Hollywood (fame)
- Home
- Lean
- Modest
- Slender
- Thrifty
- Wall Street (wealth)
- Youthful
Negative Connotations
- Babe (woman)
- Chick (woman)
- Broad (woman)
- Chatty
- Chicken (coward)
- Lackadaisical
- Miserly
- Mutt
- Procrastination
- Pushy
- Reservation (Native Americans)
- Retarded
- Skinny
- Uppity
Connotation Pairs
Here are
examples of pairs of connotations that describe the same thing or situation.
The first has a negative connotation and the second is positive.
- Astute -- Sagacious
- Bossy -- Dominant
- Bum -- Homeless
- Cheap -- Inexpensive
- Cheap -- Thrifty
- Childish -- Childlike
- Cocky -- Confident
- Conceited -- Self-confident
- Cowardly -- Prudent
- Crippled -- Disabled
- Difficult -- Challenging
- Disaster -- Problem
- Fat -- Overweight
- Fired -- Terminated
- Foolish -- Unwise
- Headstrong -- Determined
- Job -- Career
- Lazy -- Relaxed
- Nag -- Remind
- Nitpicking -- Meticulous
- Nosy -- Inquisitive
- Out of date -- Time-tested
- Pig-headed -- Stubborn
- Politician -- Statesman
- Scrawny -- Thin
- Stingy -- Economical
- Stubborn – Persevering
Denotation Definition
Denotation is
generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its
connotative or associated meanings.
Examples of Denotation
Some Words for Which Denotation and Connotation Differ:
1. Gay-literally means "lighthearted and carefree." Only more
recently has it come to be a reference for homosexuality.
2. Shrewd-literally means "having good judgment," but has a
negative connotation.
3. Chick-literally means a "baby bird," but is often used as a
somewhat derogatory term for a woman.
4. Home-literally means the physical place where you live, but is often
used to refer to the intangible idea of family and belonging
5. Rock-literally means a stone, but can also be used to refer to a person
as solid and stable.
6. Crown-literally an adornment for a member of the royal family, but used
to refer to the entire idea of royalty and power.
7. Mule-literally a mix between a donkey and a horse. Used to refer to a
stubborn person.
8. Rose-literally a type of flower. Used as a symbol for love and beauty.
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.
Implication
in Indonesian is the effect that caused
the future or impact of perceived when doing something.
- a
possible future effect or result h
-
something that is suggested without being said directly : something that is
implied
Example :
1.
I'm offended by his implication that women can't be good at mathematics.
2. He
condemned the court and, by implication, the entire legal system.
3. He
was shocked by the implication of his partner in the theft.
Reference
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