Connotation and Denotation

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

RAFIA AMANAT

TYPES OF CONNOTATION

Topic:

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 .

Syeda Quratulain Tirmzi

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.

Pakeeza Saleemi

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.

Asma Shabbir

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