THE connotation and denotation they are language manifestations that are related to the meanings of words or expressions in an utterance.
When a message is in the literal sense, that is, according to the dictionary meaning, it is called denotative.
On the other hand, if a message has a more subjective and figurative meaning, we say that it is connotative.
in short:
- Denotation: use of the real, literal sense of words and expressions.
- Connotation: use of the subjective, figurative sense of words and expressions.
Example of denotation and connotation:
- After play soccer, we ate a barbecue. (denotation)
- He ate ball on the math test. (connotation)
In the above clauses, we note the use of denotation and connotation.
In the first sentence, the term “ball” is used in a denoting sense, which refers to the spherical object used to play football, basketball and volleyball.
In the second sentence, the expression “eating ball” is in a figurative or connotative sense, which means: making a mistake. Note that we could not use this expression in the real sense, since “eating ball” is unthinkable.
What is denotation?
Denotation is the use of the literal or real sense of language in a statement. When used, it does not provide space for other interpretations, being, therefore, objective and precise.
For this reason, denotation comprises the meaning of dictionaries, that is, the proper, original and direct meaning of words.
Thus, the intention of a denotative utterance is to send the message to the receiver, so that it is not interpreted or deciphered in any other way.
Examples of denotation
In order not to leave room for other interpretations, many textual genres use denotative language, for example:
- News and reports
- medicine inserts
- instruction manuals
- scientific texts
Learn more about Referential or denotative function.
What is connotation?
Connotation is the use of the figurative, metaphorical or subjective sense of language in a statement. When used, it provides abstract interpretations that go beyond the real meaning of words, that is, the definitions that appear in dictionaries.
For this reason, she resorts to the use of pictures and language vices to transmit messages.
In this way, the meaning of the words is expanded, giving way to the analysis of what is implicit in the text.
Connotation examples
- Literary texts (poems, chronicles, novels)
- advertising messages
- Charges and strips
- Comic
Read more about the speech figures.
Connotative sense and denotative sense
As we saw above, the connotative sense it is expressed by the use of the word or expression in a figurative, subjective or expressive sense.
It depends on the context in which it is used, being widely used in the literature. This is because in the literary world many words have a strong load of sensations and feelings.
already the denotative sense represents the use of words and expressions in their proper, literal, original, real and objective sense. It is often characterized by the dictionary sense, that is, the first meaning of the word.
In dictionaries, after the denotative meaning, there is, between parentheses or square brackets, the term "figured", which indicates the connotative sense of the word.
For a better understanding, let's see the example of the word "cachorro" in the Portuguese online dictionary (Dicio):
Puppy
masculine noun
Young dog; any dog.
Cub of wolf, lioness and other dog-like animals.
[Construction] Protruding piece of wood or stone to support a cymbal or balcony; cantilever
[Figured] Disreputable man, of bad character or bad temper; despicable individual; scoundrel.
[Figured] Very naughty child; pesky boy.
[Military] Ship anchor in shipyard.
[Military] Solid piece of wood that supports the ship's weight in the shipyard's chute.
Fifth group that, in the animal game, corresponds to the number 5, the dog's number, represented by the scores 17, 18, 19 and 20.
Part on the spur that supports the rosette.
Ferry used to transport cargo on the Parnaíba river.
Example with connotative and denotative sense
- O puppy the neighbor ran away this morning. (denotative sense)
- that man is a puppy. (connotative sense)
In the above sentences, we can note that the word “dog” is used in two different senses: denotative and connotative.
In the first sentence, the word “dog” is used denoting, that is, in the real and original sense of the term: domestic animal.
In the second sentence, the term is in the connotative sense, since it refers to the character of the “dog” man: womanizer or infidel.
Do you want to be an expert in this matter? Be sure to read other texts related to this topic.:
- linguistic sign
- Semantics
- polysemy
- Verbal and nonverbal language
Exercises on connotation and denotation
question 1
(Enem-2005)
The highlighted term (or expression) that is used in its proper, denotative sense occurs in
The) "(...)
It's loop and knot
From gibeira to jiló
of this life, fulfilled in the sun (...)”
(Renato Teixeira. Pilgrimage. Kuarup Discs. September 1992.)
b) “Protecting the innocent
is that God, too wise,
put scenarios many different
in the fingerprints.”
(Maria N. S. Oak. Gospel of the Trova. /s.n.b.)
c) "The standard dictionary Language and unilingual dictionaries are the most common types of dictionaries. In our day they have become an obligatory consumption object for civilized and developed nations.”
(Maria T. Camargo Biderman. The standard language dictionary. Alpha (28), 2743, 1974 Suppl.)
d)
e) “Humorism is the art of tickle the reasoning of others. There are two kinds of humor: the tragic and the comic. The tragic is what cannot make you laugh; the comic is what is truly tragic to do.”
(Leon Eliachar. www.mercadolivre.com.br. accessed in July 2005.)
Correct alternative: c) "The standard dictionary Language and unilingual dictionaries are the most common types of dictionaries. In our day they have become an obligatory consumption object for civilized and developed nations.”
The denotative sense is the literal sense of some term and, of the options above, the only one is "standard dictionary" in which there is no subjective sense assigned.
question 2
(Fuvest)
The movie Cazuza - Time doesn't stop left me in a kind of thoughtful happiness. I try to explain why. Cazuza bit life with all his teeth. Sickness and death seem to have taken revenge on his exaggerated passion for living. It is impossible to leave the movie theater without asking one more time: what is worth more, the preservation of our forces, which would guarantee a longer life, or the free pursuit of maximum intensity and variety of experiences? I say that the question presents itself “once more” because the question is now trivial and, at the same time, persecutory. (...) We obey a proliferation of rules that are dictated by advances in prevention. Nobody imagines that eating, smoking, drinking alcohol, having sex without a condom and combining, I don't know, nitrates with Viagra is a good idea. In fact it is not. At first glance, it seems logical that we should agree without hesitation on the following: there is no or no there should be pleasures that are worth a risk of life or, simply, that are worth the risk of shortening life. What good is a pleasure that, so to speak, cuts the branch on which I am sitting? Young people have a basic reason to be suspicious of a prudent and a little greedy morality that suggests that we always choose the extra time. It's just that death seems distant to them, something that people will worry about later, much later. But his desire to walk a tightrope without a net is not just the unconsciousness of someone who can forget that “time doesn't stop”. It is also (and perhaps above all) a question that challenges us: to discipline the experience, do we have other reasons than just the decision to last a little longer?
(Contardo Calligaris, Folha de S. Paul)
Consider the following statements:
I. The excerpts “bit his life with all his teeth” and “walking a tightrope without a net” can be understood both figuratively and literally.
II. In the sentence “What good would it be if (...) I cut the branch on which I am sitting”, the meaning of the underlined expression corresponds to that of “if one is sitting”.
III. In “once more”, at the beginning of the third paragraph, the author used quotation marks to indicate the precise resumption of an expression in the text.
What is stated in:
a) I, only
b) I and II, only
c) II, only
d) II and III, only
e) I, II and III
Correct alternative: d) II and III only.
Option I is incorrect as the expression "bited his life with all his teeth" cannot be taken in a literal, denoting sense.
question 3
(FGV-2001) "My memory wouldn't let go of that scene and my gaze erased the landscape around me.” Below, write the words in this sentence that have connotative meaning. Explain.
The connotative sense is the subjective, figurative sense attributed to words. In the sentence above, we have two words used in a connotative sense, which cannot be interpreted in a literal (denotative) sense: unglued and erased.
Keep studying about the topic with more Exercises on denotation and connotation.
