The Branches of Semantics "Denotation, Connotation and Implication"

Denotation and Connotation

Denotation and Connotation, are used to convey and distinguish between two different kinds of meanings or extensions of a word. Denotation is the literal meaning or definition of a word--the explicit, particular, defined meaning, which usually can be pinned down with reasonable precision. Perhaps it could be called the overt, intellectual meaning of a word. Dictionary definitions are denotative meanings. Denotation is the strict, literal, definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color. 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. In logic and semantics, denotational always attracts the extension, meaning "in the pair," but the other element genuinely varies.

Examples #1

Rose

The denotation of this example is a red rose. The connotation is that is a symbol of passion and love, this is what the rose represents.

Examples #2

Brown Cross

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.

Examples #3

Heart

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.

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. Connotation is the suggestive meaning of a word-all the values, judgments, and status implied by a word, the historical and associative accretion of "unspoken significance" behind the literal meaning. Connotation branches into a culmination of different meanings.
The connotation essentially relates to how anything may be associated with a word or phrase, for example, an implied value judgment or feelings.

•  A stubborn person may be described as being either "strong-willed" or "pig-headed." Although these have the same literal meaning (that is, 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. (Although, not all theories of linguistic meaning honor the distinction between literal meaning and connotation).

Many words have evaluative implications behind them, and convey a positive or negative attitude toward the things they name; this flavor of the word or its overtone of meaning--whether it makes you feel like smiling, sneering, kissing, conquering, or giving up--is the word's connotation. We might say it is the emotional meaning of the word. This meaning is seldom found in the dictionary.
Here are just a few examples :

Word	Denotation	Connotation
new	recent origin	better, improved
snake	round reptile	horrible beast
adequate	good enough	not very good
excuse	explanation	weak reason

Let's look at the word "adequate" for a moment. Our society has become so drenched in exaggeration that a word like this is almost insulting in its connotative force, while its original denotative meaning was rather positive.

Suppose you hear an interchange like this: "How do you like your car?" "Oh, it's adequate." What is your reaction? Or suppose you hear this: "How do you like your wife?" "Oh, she's adequate." This last speaker may love his wife deeply, but he does not convey that impression, even though he used a denotatively nice or positive word, because the connotations of a word are inescapable--they remain attached to it, whether we like it or not.

Connotation is often a product of context. Depending on how it is used, a word might have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation to it. Note this variability in these paired examples :

• The pastor preached yesterday. (neutral connotation)
• Joe preached at me about book buying. (negative connotation.)
• This place is crawling with bugs! (negative connotation.)
• Fred is as cute as a bug. (positive connotation)

Many words do have personal connotations for each individual. The feelings or images evoked by the word "cemetery," for example, depend upon your experiences--the cemeteries you have visited, whether you have buried a loved one, and so on. But generally we mean by connotation the common suggestive meaning or evaluative sense, shared and understood by all educated users of the language. Connotation is not the slang meaning of a word, though, of course, slang meanings can affect connotations.

Implication

Implication is meaning which a speaker or writer intends but does not communicate directly. Where a listener is able to deduce or infer the intended meaning from what has been uttered, this is known as (conversational) implicature.

Example :
We are late!
→ It is mean that they must quickly.

“A bus!” 
→ Implicit meaning : “We must run.”

References :

www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Denotation_and_connotation

www.dictionary.com/browse/implication

www.virtualsalt.com/think/semant2.htm