Denotation, Connotation, and Implication

Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its connotative or associated
meanings.

An example of denotation literary term can be found in the poetic work of Robert Frosts Mending Wall : And on a
day we meet to walk the line And set the wall between us once again. We keep the wall between us as we go. To each
the boulders that have fallen to each. In the above lines, the word wall is used to suggest a physical boundary which
is its denotative meaning but it also implies the idea of emotional barrier.

Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly. Words
carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations. Positive and
Negative Connotations Words may have positive or negative connotations that depend upon the social, cultural and
personal experiences of individuals. For example, the words childish, childlike and youthful have the same denotative
but different connotative meanings. Childish and childlike have a negative connotation as they refer to immature
behavior of a person. Whereas, youthful implies that a person is lively and energetic. Common Connotation Examples
Below are a few connotation examples. Their suggested meanings are shaped by cultural and emotional associations:
A dog connotes shamelessness or an ugly face. A dove implies peace or gentility

Implication

Definition A. [Count] A possible future effect or result usually plural We must consider the long-term implications
of the new trade policies. [=we must consider the effect the policies may have in the future] The closing of the
factory has economic implications for the entire community. [=the closing will affect the economy of the entire
community] He needs to be aware of the political implications of his decision.

B. Something that is suggested without being said directly : something that is implied [Count] I'm offended by his
implication that women can't be good at mathematics. I resent that/your implication! [Noncount] He condemned
the court and, by implication, the entire legal system.

C. [Noncount] : the fact or state of being involved in or connected to something (such as a crime) : the fact or state of
being implicated in something He was shocked by the implication of his partner in the theft.
http://literarydevices.net/denotation/ http://literarydevices.net/connotation/
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/implication

Pragmatic Word Usage

Pragmatic meaning looks at the same words and grammar used semantically, except within context. In each situation,
the various listeners in the conversation define the ultimate meaning of the words, based on other clues that lend
subtext to the meaning.

For example, if you were told to, Crack the window," and the room was a little stuffy, and the speaker had just said
prior to this that they were feeling a little warm, then you would know, pragmatically, that the speaker would like you
to open the window a 'crack' or just a little.

If you were with a friend who was locked out of his home, and you were standing at a back door trying to get inside,
your friend might say 'crack that window' and literally mean to put a 'crack' in the window, or break the window.

Confused? Let's dig deeper.

Differences in Meaning

As the example above shows, considering both the pragmatic and semantic meaning of your sentence is important
when communicating with other people. Although semantics is concerned only with the exact, literal meaning of the
words and their interrelations, pragmatic usage focuses on the inferred meaning that the speakers and listeners
perceive.

The following examples demonstrate the difference between the two:

She hasnt taken a shower.

He was so tired he could sleep for days.

In both of these examples, the context and pragmatic meaning really define the sentence.

In the first, did the speaker really mean to say that the woman has not ever taken a shower, not even once? Although
the sentence says just that, the listener in the conversation may understand, based on other factors, that the speaker
means that the woman they are referring to has not taken a shower ... today.

In the second example, we have a guy who is so tired he can sleep for days. Is he really going to sleep for days?
Semantically, we would need to take that sentence to mean exactly that. But, in casual conversation, the listeners and
speaker might tell you that the guy was just saying he was really, really tired, and using those words to convey that
meaning, instead of saying, 'he was really tired'.

Idioms and Miscommunications

New English language learners need to learn how to understand the pragmatic meaning of the sentence in order to
avoid miscommunications.

Some ways to make the transition easier is by learning phrases and idioms that are commonly said, but whose true
meanings differ from the semantic meaning.

In the example used above, Crack the window" is a common phrase or idiom meant to open the window so that only
a crack is showing.

Although full comprehension of pragmatic meaning in a new language can take time, students can speed up the
process by practicing the most common exceptions to the semantic meaning.