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Connotation / Denotation. Denotation. The dictionary definition of a word. The word’s literal, intended definition. Example: Home: a place where someone lives Residence: a place where someone lives Dwelling: a building in which a person lives House: a building in which a person lives.
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Denotation • The dictionary definition of a word. • The word’s literal, intended definition. Example: Home: a place where someone lives Residence: a place where someone lives Dwelling: a building in which a person lives House: a building in which a person lives
Denotation • Gay: an adjective synonymous with happy • “b” word: a female dog • Ignorant: being uneducated or lacking knowledge about a subject • Female: a person who as two XX chromosomes and has a vagina and uterus.
Connotation • The feelings or emotions associated with a word. • Often has a greater influence on meaning than the denotation • Develops over time through cultural changes • Difficult for language learners to recognize and can cause problems
Connotation Example: Positive connotation: Home: a loving place where a family comes together and lives Neutral connotation: Residence: a place where someone lives Dwelling: a building in which a person lives House: a building in which a person lives
Negative Connotation • Gay: stupid, effeminate • “b” word: an unpleasant woman or a man lacking masculine characteristics. • Ignorant: stupid • Female: In some situations, (“Those feee-males bothering me.”) it actually carries the same negative connotations as the “b” word.
Positive or Negative? difficult challenging stingy economical headstrong determined nitpicking meticulous childish Childlike Dinky Tiny Small Fun-size
Bottom Line • Be aware that words can be offensive to people even when they are not intended to be. • When choosing words in writing, you need to be aware of connotations so you do not send an unintended message.