If you’re in the business of defining and explaining words (which we are), it’s important to know the difference between denotation and connotation. These two terms are easy to confuse because they refer to related concepts. And every word can have both denotation and connotation. So what do they mean? Show
In this article, we’ll explain the difference, give you tips for how to remember it, and provide examples of what both words refer to. ⚡ Quick summaryThe denotation of a word or expression is its direct meaning. Its connotation consists of the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it. For example, the word homework refers to schoolwork done outside of school—that’s its denotation. For many people, the word has a negative connotation—meaning that the word itself gives them a bad feeling associated with the experience of having to do homework when they’d rather be doing something else. What is the difference between denotation and connotation?The denotation of a word or expression is its explicit or direct meaning, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it. Simply put, a word’s denotation is what that word means or directly represents. The meaning of denotation becomes more clear when it’s contrasted with connotation. When someone refers to a word’s connotation, they’re referring to what it implies or suggests—or to the secondary meanings or implications that are associated with it. The word connotation is commonly used in the phrases positive connotation and negative connotation. That’s because people associate good or bad things with a lot of words. Let’s illustrate the difference with a simple example. For example, the word home refers to the place where you live—it could be a house, an apartment, etc. This is the word’s denotation. For many people, the word home has a positive connotation—it’s associated with safety, comfort, and a sense of belonging. These associations and implications make up the word’s connotation. What’s with the sinister connotation with being left-handed? The connotation of a word depends on cultural context and personal associations, but the denotation of a word is its standardized meaning within the language. Another way to think about it is that a word’s denotation is the same or about the same for most people. When you say “bicycle,” other English speakers generally know what you’re talking about. Some may picture a mountain bike while others picture a road bike, but they’re thinking about the same general thing. While a word’s connotation may be widely shared, different words often have different connotations for different people. Both denotation and connotation stem from the Latin word notāre, meaning “to note.” One way to remember the difference between the terms is to take a hint from how they begin. The con- in connotation comes from a Latin term meaning “together” or “with,” reminding us that the connotation of a word works with or alongside its primary, explicit meaning—its denotation. denotative vs. connotativeThe words denotative and connotative are the adjective forms of denotation and connotation. They’re used in the same context—to describe words or meanings. For example, describing a word as connotative means that it suggests more than its straightforward meaning. All words are denotative, and any word can be connotative if it has particular associations for a person. denote vs. connoteThe verb denote means “to indicate” (as in A fever often denotes an infection) or “to mean” (as in What is this supposed to denote?). Connote means “to signify or suggest (certain meanings, ideas, etc.) in addition to the explicit or primary meaning.” A collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate. The process of assigning meaning to others' words in order to translate them into thoughts of your own. The study of the way humans use language to evoke meaning in others. Focuses on individual words and their meaning. The way in which words are arranged to form phrases and sentences. The process of translating your thoughts into words. The study
of language as it is used in a social context, including its effect on the communicators. Communication that is used to establish a mood of sociability rather than to communicate information or ideas. The socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, attitudes, and values of a particular period, class, community, or population. A theory that our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes and our thought processes are limited by our language and, therefore, that language shapes our reality. The agreed-upon meaning or dictionary meaning of a word. An individualized or personalized meaning of a word, which may be emotionally laden. Meanings others have come to hold because of personal or individual experience. Words and phrases used informally. An expression that has lost originality and force through overuse. A more polite, pleasant expression used instead of a socially unacceptable form. Any language that is purposefully constructed to disguise its actual meaning. A specialized language of a group of people who share a common interest or belong to a similar co-culture. Language that is disrespectful of things sacred. The technical language developed by a professional group. Words and phrases specific to a particular region or part of the country. Language that excludes individuals on the basis of gender. Language that insults a group because of its skin color or ethnicity. Language that implies that everyone is heterosexual. Language that describes and denigrates people on the basis of their age. The practice of describing observed behavior or phenomena instead of offering personal reactions or judgments. Restating another person’s message by rephrasing the content or intent of the message. A definition that identifies something by revealing how it works, how it is made, or what it consists of. Words and statements that are specific rather than abstract or vague. Specifying when you made an observation, since everything changes over time. An assessment of a concept that does not change over time. Identifying the uniqueness of objects, events, and people. Recognizing the differences among the various members of a group. ______ is the opposite of indexing. _______ are descriptions of what is sensed; _______ are conclusions drawn from observations. The ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. Which of the following is not a characteristic of language? Because messages can vary depending on the situation, it is important to examine the context of the communication. That is called: Which statement reflects the relationship between language and culture? c. Culture creates a lens through which we perceive the world and create shared meaning. When doctors communicate with technical language, they are using: One way to improve language skills is to restate the other
person's message by rephrasing the content of the message, a process called A word's dictionary definition is its _____________ meaning, and an individualized or personalized definition is its __________ meaning. a. denotative; connotative Communication may be helped or hindered when b. language is used in unique or unusual ways Dating, or specifying when you made an observation, is important because d. you clarify that your perception was based on a particular experience in a specific context Which of the following terms refers to disrespectful language? When you describe observed behavior instead of offering personal reactions, you are ___________ is a sign that has a specific meaning or that represents something else. __________ are the emotional meaning or secondary associations of words. What a word indicates or signifies is called its __________. __________ are the descriptive, dictionary definitions of words or their primary meanings. Speech that is not adapted to the receiver. Putting thoughts, ideas, or feelings into words. Speech in which the sender and receiver interact to share meaning. The content of communication devoted to words. Mutual action that affects both the sender and the receiver. Nonstandard language of a culture or sub-culture. __________ is the language we use when we talk with ourselves. The view that our world is shaped by our language is called the __________. When a message is without words, we say it is __________. __________ can help use language in a more constructive way. Events or situations that occur because we expect them to are called __________. Self-fulfilling prophecies A formal system of symbols with agreed-upon meanings among speakers. The content of communication devoted to words. A sign that has a specific meaning or that represents something else. The significance of an idea or a feeling we are trying to communicate. The descriptive, dictionary definition of a word or its primary meaning. The emotional meaning or the secondary association triggered in most people by a word. Capable of being understood in more than one way. Putting thoughts, ideas, or feelings into words. Translating messages to determine their meaning. Speech in which the sender does not adapt the language to the receiver. Speech in which the sender and receiver interact to share meaning. Mutual action that affects both the sender and the receiver. The meaning in a message that is separate from the words. When we say that "words are arbitrary," we mean that words have a meaning in and of themselves, a meaning that is the same for everyone using that language. Denotative meaning refers to the
individualized, personalized meaning that we give to a word. Dating is a term in general semantics that means communication is improved if you always specify how your observation was made. Paraphrasing is the repetition of a message in the same words.
Connotative meaning refers to the individualized, personalized meaning that we give to a word. Encoding means assigning meanings of words into thoughts of our own. Syntax refers to the rules by which we arrange words. Semantics is the science of meaning in
language. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states that our perception of reality is shaped by our language. When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes, come to class before the bell, stay the entire class period, and leave only when dismissed, she is using operational
definition. When we say that "the word is not the thing" we mean that the word is an abstraction, a simplification, a symbol of that for which it stands. To say that "fraternity buys are rich" is a violation of the general semanticist's notion of indexing.
When you say that you need "to use the rest room" instead of saying," I have to do to the toilet", you are using slang. When we say that words are arbitrary we mean that words have a meaning in and of themselves a meaning that is the same for everyone using that language?False. When we say that "words are arbitrary," we mean that words have a meaning in and of themselves, a meaning that is the same for everyone using that language. False. Semantics is the science of meaning in language.
When you say that you need to use the rest room instead of saying I have to go to the toilet you are using slang?This is known as a regionalism. When you say that you need "to use the rest room" instead of saying, "I have to go to the toilet," you are using slang. Paraphrasing is the repetition of a message in the same words.
When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes?Terms in this set (10)
When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes, come to class before the bell, stay the entire class period, and leave only when dismissed, she is using an operational definition.
Which term refers to communication between two people?Interpersonal communication is an exchange of information between two or more people. It is also an area of research that seeks to understand how humans use verbal and nonverbal cues to accomplish a number of personal and relational goals.
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