Denotation and connotation

The pair, denotation and connotation, are used to convey and distinguish between two different kinds of meanings or extensions of a term. A denotation is (usually anyway) the strict, literal, definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color. The connotation of a word or term adds elements of emotion, attitude, or color to the term. The meaning or use of denotation and connotation depends partly on the field of study.

The meaning of denotation and connotation

• In media-studies terminology, denotation is the first level of analysis: what the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor. Here it is usually coupled with connotation which is the second level of analysis, being what the denotation represents.

• In logic, linguistics and semiotics, a denotation of a word or phrase is a part of its meaning; however, several parts of meaning may take this name, depending on the contrast being drawn:
• Denotation and connotation are either
  • in basic semantics and literary theory, the literal and figurative meanings of a word, or,
  • in philosophy, logic and parts of linguistics, the extension and intension of a word

• Denotation can be synonymous with reference, and connotation with sense, in the sense and reference distinction in philosophy of language.

• In Computer science, denotational semantics is contrasted with operational semantics.

• In Semiotics, denotation also has its own meaning.

In logic and semantics, denotational always attracts the extension meaning "in the pair", but the other element genuinely varies. (See intension for further discussion.)

The distinction between connotation and denotation corresponds roughly to Gottlob Frege's ground-breaking and much-studied distinction between Sinn [sense] and Bedeutung [reference].

Bertrand Russell in 1905 published a seminal article on the topic of denotation entitled "On Denoting."

Denotation often links with symbolism, as the denotation of a particular media text often represents something further; a hidden meaning (or an Engima Code) is often encoded into a media text (such as the images below).

Examples

In order to understand fully the difference between denotation and connotation in the media studies and semiotics uses it is helpful to examine some examples:

Example one. The denotation of this example is a red rose with a green stem. The connotation is that is a symbol of passion and love - this is what the rose represents.

Example two. The denotation is a brown cross. The connotation is a symbol of religion, according to the media connotation. To be more specific, this is a symbol of Christianity.

Example three. The denotation is a representation of a cartoon heart. The connotation is a symbol of love and affection, not in the way of a rose, but a symbol of true love.

Definition of Connotation

A connotation is a subjective cultural and/or emotional coloration in addition to the explicit or denotative meaning of any specific word or phrase in a language.

For the more specialized meaning of "Connotation" in semiotics, see connotation (semiotics).

Usage

Within contemporary society, connotation branches into a culmination of different meanings. These could include the contrast of a word or phrase with its primary, literal meaning (known as a denotation), with what that word or phrase specifically denotes. The connation essesentially relates to how anything may be associated with a word or phrase, for example, an implied value judgement or feelings.

• A stubborn person may be described as being either strong-willed or pig-headed. Although these have the same literal meaning (i.e. stubborn), strong-willed connotes admiration for someone's convictions, while pig-headed connotes frustration in dealing with someone. Likewise, used car and previously owned car have the same literal meaning, but many dealerships prefer the latter, since it is thought to have fewer negative connotations.
• It is often useful to avoid words with strong connotations (especially disparaging ones) when striving to achieve a neutral point of view. A desire for more positive connotations, or fewer negative ones, is one of the main reasons for using euphemisms.

Logic

In logic and in some branches of semantics, connotation is more or less synonymous with intension. Connotation is often contrasted with denotation, which is more or less synonymous with extension. A word's extension is the collection of things it refers to; its intension is what it implies about the things it is used to refer to. So, the denotation or extension of dog is just the collection of all the dogs that exist. The connotation or intension of dog is (something like) four-legged canine carnivore. Alternatively, the connotation of the word may be thought of as the set of all its possible referents (as opposed to merely the actual ones). So saying "You are a dog" would imply that you were ugly or aggressive rather than stating that you were canine.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Barnard, Malcolm (1996). Fashion as Communication. London: Routledge ISBN 0415111579 ISBN 9780415111577 ISBN 0415111587 ISBN 9780415111584
• Barthes, Roland (1968). Elements of Semiology, Translated from the French by Annette Lavers and Colin Smith, New York: Hill and Wang.
• Frege, Gottlob, "Über Sinn und Bedeutung," Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik, NF 100, 1892, S. 25-50.
• Leiss, William, Stephen Kline & Sut Jhally (1990). Social Communication in Advertising: Persons, Products and Images of Well-Being London: Routledge ISBN 0415966760 ISBN 9780415966764
• Russell, Bertrand (1905). "On Denoting," Orig. pub. in Mind, 1905; Reprinted in Logic and Knowledge, ed. Robert Marsh. London: George Allen & Unwin LTD, 1956, 1964.
• Williamson, Judith. (1978) Decoding Advertisements. London: Marion Boyars. ISBN 9704526142 ISBN 0714526150

External links

• Connotations of problem solving
• Semiotics for Beginners
• VirtuaLit Elements of Poetry
• Aristotle's rhetoric, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

There are numerous websites devoted to the distinction between denotation and connotation. Here are several of them:

• Glossary of terms
• Poetic elements

General Philosophy Sources

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Philosophy Sources on Internet EpistemeLinks
• Guide to Philosophy on the Internet
• Paideia Project Online
• Project Gutenberg

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