Connotation

Etymology of Connotation

The term “connotation” originated from the Latin word connotare, meaning “to mark in addition.” The word entered the English language in the 17th century. Its original meaning refers to the act of indicating something indirectly.

Meanings of Connotation

• Emotional Associations: Connotation refers to the emotional or subjective associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Words evokes positive, negative, or neutral emotions based on cultural, personal, or historical contexts. For example, the word “home” may have connotations of warmth, comfort, and security.
• Implied or Subtle Meanings: It also encompasses the implied or subtle meanings that a word carries often through associations or cultural references. These implied meanings add depth or layers of interpretation to a word or phrase. For instance, the word “dove” may connote peace, innocence, or purity.
• Social and Cultural Significance: It extends beyond individual interpretations and reflects broader social and cultural significance. Words may carry connotations shaped by societal norms, historical events, or group identities. For example, the term “patriot” could have positive connotations for those who value national loyalty, while it also carries negative connotations for those who perceive it as an expression of jingoism.

Connotation in Grammar

Grammatically, it is a noun that takes a plural form (connotations) but it does not have a distinct verb form. Its verb “connote” is a derivative of the noun “connotation.”

Definition of Connotation

Connotation, as a literary device, refers to the cultural and emotional associations evoked by a word beyond its literal meaning. It is the subjective meaning people assign to a word based on their personal experience, cultural background, and social context.

Types of Connotation

There are three main types of connotation:

Type of Connotation	Detail	Example
Positive connotation	Words that evoke positive feelings or associations	The word “love” conveys warmth, affection, and happiness.
Negative connotation	Words that evoke negative feelings or associations	The word “death” is associated with fear, sadness, and loss.
Neutral connotation	Words that do not evoke strong feelings or associations	The word “chair” is a neutral term for a piece of furniture used for sitting.

Common Examples of Connotation

1. Dove: The word “dove” has a connotation of peace and purity. That is why they are often used as symbols of peace.
2. Snake: The word “snake” connotes deception and danger. This is because snakes are often portrayed as cunning and dangerous animals.
3. Rose: The word “rose” has a connotation of love and romance. This is because roses are commonly associated with romantic gestures and are often given as gifts on special occasions.
4. Home: The word “home” connotes comfort and safety. It is associated with a place where one feels secure and at ease.
5. Childish: The word “childish” has a connotation of immaturity and silliness. This shows behavior that is typical of children such as being playful or impulsive.
6. Wealthy: The word “wealthy” has a connotation of success and abundance. It often shows people having a lot of money or possessions as successful.

Literary Examples of Connotation

Example	Reference to Context and Author	Explanation
Example 1	From Macbeth by William Shakespeare	The play Macbeth shows the word “blood” carries a connotation of guilt, violence, and betrayal. The repeated mention of blood throughout the play symbolizes the characters’ moral corruption and the irreversible consequences of their actions.
Example 2	From “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe	“The Raven” shows the word “nevermore” carries a connotation of despair, finality, and eternal darkness. Through its repetition, “nevermore” reinforces the protagonist’s sense of loss and his inability to find solace or escape from his grief.
Example 3	From “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson	“The Lottery” shows the word “lottery” carries a connotation of excitement, anticipation, and good fortune. However, as the story unfolds, the true nature of the lottery is revealed, and the word takes on a sinister and horrifying connotation, representing the violent tradition upheld by the villagers.
Example 4	From Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare	In “Romeo and Juliet,” the word “light” carries a connotation of love, purity, and hope. It is frequently used to describe the relationship between Romeo and Juliet, representing their passionate affection and the possibility of a bright future together, despite the dark circumstances surrounding them.
Example 5	From “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost	In the poem “The Road Not Taken,” the word “sigh” connotes regret, contemplation, and longing. It suggests the speaker’s reflective and wistful state of mind as they consider the choices they have made in life and the path not taken.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, Meyers. H. The Deconstructive Angel. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 245-262.
2. Barthes, Roland. Image-Music-Text. Translated by Stephen Heath, Hill, and Wang. Fontana Press, 1977.
3. Brooks, Cleanth. The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry. Harcourt, Brace & World, 1947.
4. Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 1997.
5. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
6. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Blackwell, 2008.
7. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
8. Jakobson, Roman. “Linguistics and Poetics.” In Style in Language, edited by Thomas A. Sebeok, MIT Press, 1960, pp. 350-377.
9. Leitch, Vincent B., editor. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.