Etymology of Denotation
Denotation originated from the Latin word denotare. It means “to mark or designate. It is the most straightforward meaning of a word. And this is what one would expect to find in a dictionary definition.
Meanings of Denotation
- Linguistics: In linguistics, denotation refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word or phrase. It is the basic, objective, and universally recognized meaning of a word, and is independent of any personal or cultural associations. For example, the denotation of the word “cat” is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal.
- Semiotics: In semiotics, denotation refers to the relationship between a sign (such as a word, symbol, or image) and its referent or the object it represents. Denotation is the direct, explicit, and literal meaning a sign conveys. For example, a red traffic light denotes the instruction to stop.
- Logic: In logic, denotation refers to the reference of a term or expression to the objects or entities in the world it represents. It is the relationship between a name or a symbol and the actual thing or concept it stands for. Denotation is often contrasted with connotation, which refers to the associated or secondary meanings of a term.
Denotation in Grammar
Grammatically, it is a noun used with both singular and plural verbs. When it refers to a single object or concept, it takes a singular verb, as in “The denotation of the word ‘cat’ is a small carnivorous mammal.” When it refers to multiple objects or concepts, it takes a plural verb, as in “The denotations of the words ‘apple’ and ‘pear’ are different fruits.”
Definition of Denotation
In literature, this literary device refers to the direct or literal meaning of a word or phrase. It is the basic meaning of a word without any added implications or emotional associations. Authors may use denotation to create clarity in their writing or to emphasize a particular point by using simple, straightforward language.
Types of Denotation
There are different types of denotation, including:
| Type | Definition | Example |
| Lexical Denotation | It refers to the literal definition of a word as it appears in the dictionary. | The lexical denotation of “cat” is a small, carnivorous mammal of the Felidae family. |
| Contextual Denotation | It refers to the literal meaning of a word or phrase as it is used in a particular context. | In the sentence “I’m feeling blue,” the contextual denotation of “blue” is feeling sad. |
| Literal Denotation | It refers to the exact and precise meaning of a word or phrase, without any added connotations. | The literal denotation of “run” is to move swiftly on foot. |
| Primary Denotation | It refers to the most basic or essential meaning of a word or phrase, without added connotations. | The primary denotation of “book” is a written or printed work consisting of pages. |
| Logical Denotation | It refers to the objective, rational meaning of a word or phrase, without added emotions. | The logical denotation of “hot” is having a high temperature above normal or comfortable. |
Understanding the different types help readers and writers to use language more effectively and communicate ideas more clearly
Common Examples of Denotation
Some common examples of denotation in everyday language include:
- The word “rose” denotes a type of flower with fragrant petals and prickly stems.
- The word “apple” denotes a round fruit with red, green, or yellow skin and a sweet or tart flavor.
- The word “book” denotes a collection of written or printed pages bound together, used for reading or studying.
- The word “dog” denotes a domesticated mammal of the canine family, commonly kept as a pet or used for hunting.
- The word “chair” denotes a piece of furniture with a seat and backrest, used for sitting on.
In each of these examples, the word refers to its literal or dictionary definition, without any added emotional or figurative associations. These words are commonly used in everyday language and are easily recognizable by most people.
Literary Examples of Denotation
- Example from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:
“The Radleys, welcome anywhere in town, kept to themselves, a predilection unforgivable in Maycomb.”
Explanation: In this example, the denotation of the word “predilection” refers to a preference or liking. The word is used to describe the behavior of the Radley family, who prefer to keep to themselves and avoid socializing with the rest of the town. The use of this word emphasizes the negative perception of the Radleys’ behavior by the rest of the town.
- Example from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
“His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people – his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all.”
Explanation: In this example, the word “shiftless” refers to a person who is lazy and lacks ambition. The use of this word emphasizes the negative perception of the protagonist’s parents by the narrator, who sees them as inadequate and unworthy of being his parents.
- Example from A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams:
“He [Stanley] sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them.”
Explanation: In this example, the denotation of the word “classifications” refers to the act of categorizing or grouping things based on certain characteristics. The use of this word emphasizes the objectification and dehumanization of women by the character Stanley, who views them solely in terms of their sexual appeal.
- Example from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger:
“She was about as kind-hearted as a goddamn wolf.”
Explanation: In this example, the word “kind-hearted” refers to a person who is compassionate and generous. However, the narrator uses this word sarcastically to emphasize the opposite quality of the person he is describing, who he perceives as cruel and unfeeling.
Suggested Readings
- Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.
- Eco, Umberto. The Role of the Reader: Explorations in the Semiotics of Texts. Indiana University Press, 1979.
- Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1980.
- Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction. Vintage, 1992.
- Perrine, Laurence. Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry. Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1998.
- Riffaterre, Michael. Semiotics of Poetry. Indiana University Press, 1978.
- Wimsatt, W. K., and Monroe C. Beardsley. The Verbal Icon: Studies in the Meaning of Poetry. University Press of Kentucky, 2012.