Denotations and Connotations

Denotation
The ‘literal’ meaning of something, an image or idea. It is, in a way,

the “dictionary” definition.

Connotation

The extra added meanings that we attach to images, objects and

ideas that are not ‘literal’ but based on our experience, culture, age,

gender etc. They are often shared within groups e.g. people of a

similar age, people from a particular religion or country.

Examples

These pairs roughly denote the same thing but have different

connotations

• Cat/Moggy
• Prostitute/Whore
• Nanny/Au Pair

Connotation are usually

 Shared

 Similar

 Influenced by each other, the media and personal experience

They are often understood and shared by groups. These groups can

be based on many things, including;

• Race
• Age
• Geography/Where we live
• Gender
• Occupation

Sometimes when reading a text, a person may read the text

 

differently than was perhaps expected by the text’s producers – this

is sometimes a partial acceptance of the ‘intended’ meaning and

sometimes a complete rejection of it. These are called negotiated

and aberrant readings respectively.

 

1. Identify each sign (denotation).
2. What does it stand for? (connotation)
3. Does it have more than one meaning?
4. Which groups of people can/cannot read it? e.g. because of age, geography etc

 

 



Task:

Make a list of colours and their connotations. e.g. red connotes danger, warning, passion etc