The meaning of the two terms connotation and denotation is closely related to the theoretical framework one takes as his perspective, and it varies broadly across theories. In logico-philosophical semantics, denotation corresponds to the bi-directional relationship between a set of entities in the world and the linguistic expressions used to refer to them, whereas reference/extension is viewed as a more specific relationship between one specific entity in the world and the word in a given utterance used to mention it. In a similar vein, connotation is often paired with sense/intension, but while sense encompasses the whole set of properties of an entity, intension refers to the qualities of the entity which are implied in a given utterance. In modern linguistics Saussure offered a clear distinction between the two labels. Stemming from his semiotic dichotomy of the sign, which is conceived of a signifier and a signified, denotation refers to the meaning of a word as is given in a dictionary, the objective semantic content codified by the signifier, whereas connotation refers to any other semantic implications that are part of the speaker’s value in a given context.
Connotation and Denotation
BAICCHI, ANNALISA
2009-01-01
Abstract
The meaning of the two terms connotation and denotation is closely related to the theoretical framework one takes as his perspective, and it varies broadly across theories. In logico-philosophical semantics, denotation corresponds to the bi-directional relationship between a set of entities in the world and the linguistic expressions used to refer to them, whereas reference/extension is viewed as a more specific relationship between one specific entity in the world and the word in a given utterance used to mention it. In a similar vein, connotation is often paired with sense/intension, but while sense encompasses the whole set of properties of an entity, intension refers to the qualities of the entity which are implied in a given utterance. In modern linguistics Saussure offered a clear distinction between the two labels. Stemming from his semiotic dichotomy of the sign, which is conceived of a signifier and a signified, denotation refers to the meaning of a word as is given in a dictionary, the objective semantic content codified by the signifier, whereas connotation refers to any other semantic implications that are part of the speaker’s value in a given context.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
