Connotation

Connotation is a term used in semiotics to refer to the socio-cultural and 'personal' associations (ideological, emotional etc.) that the signifiers of a linguistic or symbolic system carry with them. The connotation essentially forms the vehicle of the cultural, ideological, or emotional meaning of signs. The connotation is contrasted with the denotation which is its standard, dictionary definition.

Overview

The terms, denotation and connotation, are used to describe the meanings of words and phrases in a somewhat more complex way than with simple definitions. While denotation is the literal meaning of the word, connotation is the implied meaning. In other words, denotation is the standard definition of a word whereas connotation is the experience or cultural implications that a word invokes.

Connotation in Semiotics

In semiotics, denotation and connotation are terms describing the relationship between the signifier and its signified, and an analytic distinction is made between two types of signifieds: a denotative signified and a connotative signified. Meaning includes both denotation and connotation.

Connotation in Literature

In literature, it's not enough to know the dictionary definition of a word to fully understand a piece of writing. Instead, you need to be aware of the connotations of each word to fully grasp the underlying message. Connotations can be either positive, negative, or neutral.

Connotation in Poetry

In poetry, connotation is often used to set the tone of a poem. The connotations of words can greatly affect the overall mood and theme of a poem, and poets often choose words as much for their connotations as for their denotations.

See Also

• Denotation
• Semiotics
• Symbolic system
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Poetry

References

Connotation Resources
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