CONNOTATIONS VS.

DENOTATIONS

A. Connotation:

-​ is a non-literal framing of a term that intends to add an association beyond its literal meaning.

Types of Connotation:

Evaluative Connotation:
-​ charges the word with negative, positive, ironic or other types of connotation conveying the
speaker's attitude in relation to the object of speech. Under these are the following:

1.​ Negative Connotation

-​ Words with negative connotations suggest undesirable, unfavorable, or disapproving
qualities.

-​ The word “sick” can imply poor health.

2.​ Neutral Connotation

-​ These words don’t carry strong positive or negative feelings; they are more factual or
neutral in tone.

-​ The word 'group' has a neutral connotation as it simply describes a gathering of people

3.​ Positive Connotation

-​ Words with positive connotations express favorable or desirable attributes.

-​ A four-leaf clover is both a clover with four leaves (denotation) and a good luck charm
(connotation)

​ ​ Emotive Connotation:
-​ Express various feelings or emotions. Emotions differ from feelings. Emotions like joy,
disappointment, pleasure, anger, worry, surprise are more short-lived. Feelings imply a more stable
state, or attitude, such as love, hatred, respect, pride, dignity, etc. The emotive component of
meaning may be occasional or usual (i.e. inherent and adherent)

-​ The “word” means a place where one lives if denoted. In connotation, it means warmth, comfort,
safety, love, and belonging. The word "home" often brings feelings of happiness and security. It
evokes a sense of peace or emotional attachment.

-​ The word "Snake" means a reptile. In connotation, it means danger, deceit, fear. The word "snake"
may evoke negative emotions, such as fear or distrust, because of cultural associations with danger
or treachery.
Irony Connotation
-​ Words used in an ironic context may carry an evaluative connotation that contradicts the literal
meaning, often creating a tone of sarcasm or humor.

-​ Great job (said sarcastically when something has gone wrong).

Expressive Connotation
-​ Refer to the emotional or subjective responses a word generates in the speaker or writer. Unlike
evaluative connotations, which focus on how a word influences the listener or reader's judgment,
expressive connotations highlight how the speaker feels or what the speaker intends to convey
emotionally through the word choice.

-​ The word “Delight” implies a stronger, more passionate feeling of joy or pleasure, revealing the
speaker's emotional enthusiasm or happiness.

Stylistic Connotation

-​ A word possesses stylistic connotation if it belongs to a certain functional style or a specific layer
of vocabulary (such as archaisms, barbarisms, slang, jargon, etc). Stylistic connotation is usually
immediately recognizable.

-​ The word “lounge” suggests a relaxed, leisurely, or even sophisticated way of sitting, often
associated with comfort or luxury. It conveys a more laid-back, indulgent style compared to the
plain and utilitarian "sit."
B. Denotation:
-​ represents the explicit or direct meaning of a word.
-​ literal meaning of a word or phrase, as defined in a dictionary.

Example
-​ The denotation of “homework” is schoolwork done outside of school.

​ Types of Denotation:

Demonstrative Denotation
-​ Makes reference to an actively existing individual thing. This means that besides denoting a
concrete thing, action or notion, the word may also carry a connotation, an overtone.

-​ The words "This book" denotes the phrase refers to a specific book that is close to the speaker or
the one currently being discussed.

​ ​ Significative Denotation
-​ The word evokes a general idea of an object or phenomenon.

-​ The word "Dog" is a domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis lupus familiaris) that is commonly
kept as a pet or used for work purposes, such as herding or guarding. This is the literal, factual
meaning of the word.

​
Key Points:
1. Direct and Blunt Language:

-​ Example: "The man was dead. He had been shot in the chest."

-​ Denotative Meaning: "Dead" simply means the cessation of life. There's no emotional coloring or
figurative language.

-​ Stylistic Effect: The use of the direct, denotative term "dead" creates a sense of stark reality and
immediacy. It emphasizes the brutal nature of the event without embellishment.

2. Juxtaposition of Denotation and Connotation:

-​ Juxtaposition means the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

-​ Example: "The house was a prison."

-​ Denotative Meaning: "House" literally means a building for dwelling.

-​ Connotative Meaning: "Prison" evokes feelings of confinement, restriction, and lack of freedom.

-​ Stylistic Effect: The juxtaposition of the denotative meaning of "house" with the connotative meaning of
"prison" creates a powerful metaphor. It suggests that the house, despite being a place of residence, feels
like a trap.

3. Figurative Language Building on Denotation:

-​ Example: "The sun was a fiery eye in the sky, watching us."

-​ Denotative Meaning: "Sun" refers to the star at the center of our solar system.

-​ Figurative Language: The metaphor "fiery eye" builds upon the denotation of the sun's heat and​
brightness.

-​ Stylistic Effect: The metaphor creates a vivid and evocative image, suggesting that the sun is not just a
celestial body but a powerful observer.
Similarities:

-​ Both relate to the meaning of terms and objects.

-​ They coexist in language and communication.
-​ They influence our understanding of words.

Distinctions and Differences:

Nature:
Connotation:
-​ Subjective, adds layers of meaning.
Denotation:
-​ Objective, provides textbook definitions.

Implications:

Connotation:
-​ Can be negative, neutral, or positive.
​ Denotation:
-​ Accurate and literal.

Usage:
Connotation:
-​ Used creatively in writing, poetry, and rhetoric.
-​ used in informal situations.
Denotation:
-​ Used for clarity and precision
-​ used in formal situations.

References:
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-southern-mindanao/stylistics-and-discourse-development/n
otes-in-stylistic-and-discourse-development/31022806?sid=01739066942&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Yezb
HMmuDk35hKu1r-slnNMpwfxfzINV-AvWyRMXeDfhxgVcdVHpVfiU_aem_VY8RZl2LL5PeCYYu_Pripw&shared=n

https://www.scribd.com/document/703830271/Connotative-and-Denotative-Lexical-and-Stylistic?fbclid=IwZXh
0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR07IJuyPr6u3nYPEdFGu8av3omEJWnYIzgwQY8ChcXjIKZ5JPwB8Je3zHw_aem_TJSmR8IgP
DYDgq0M_OFYQw

Prepared by: Rhamakel Ignaz C. Villeza