Definition of Subjective-Connotative Description

Both in the communication Orally and in writing, we describe reality in a denotative-objective way or in a subjective and connotative way. In this sense, all words have a precise and objective meaning and if we say "dog" we know that he is an animal mammal and the use of the word denotes something concrete. However, that same word has some connotations, that is, it can suggest all kinds of ideas (faithful companion, a childhood memory or any emotion personal). In short, the description subjective-connotative expresses emotions or personal ideas and the objective-denotative description communicates accurate and rigorous information.

Connotation and denotation

The same word has one meaning or another depending on the intention of the issuer and for this reason we speak of connotative language and denotative language.

In denotative language, the words used to describe refer to their everyday use and the meaning they have for a community of speakers. In connotative language, the meaning of words will depend on the use that a person makes in a certain context and, therefore, it is possible to speak of a meaning

symbolic and subjective.

These two planes of language mean that the same word can be used denotatively or connotatively. So if I say "what an expensive gem!" I am mentioning that an ornament used as an element of ornamentation of the body has a very high price and this description is denotative. On the contrary, if I say "my friend is a jewel" the word jewel is not used as an ornament but in its connotative figurative sense it means that my friend is someone very valuable as a person.

The connotative-subjective language and the denotative-objective language are complementary

In scientific texts and in contexts where the information must be rigorous, it is necessary to use denotative and objective language. On the other hand, in literary texts or in the language of advertising a connotative-subjective language is used.

Despite the fact that they are two different approaches, denotation and connotation are complementary and are not exclusive. In fact, in a literary text there may be in the same fragment words with a connotative use and words with a certain connotation.

On conclusion, the denotative meaning of a term is the one that appears in the dictionary and the connotative meaning is not recorded in a dictionary but is part of the context of the language and culture of a community of speakers.

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