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Summary Text and Communication 1 SEM
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Text & Communication Semester 2What are words worth?
Introduction
“When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”
- Humpty Dumpty
Tells us that words don’t mean the same in all languages. They have objective and subjective meanings.
OUR FOCUS= objective meanings
Value judgements of words
Word
- Denotation:
Dictionary definition
e.g.: ’dog’ = carnivorous quadruped of the genus Canis
- Connotations:
Extra associations, often personal or emotional ≠ definition
Some are shared with other language users and share the same connotations for everyone. They
can also be unique for everyone.
e.g.: ‘dog’ – positive/negative associations
With ‘dog’, everyone has the same denotation but not the same connotations. May have positive
or negative connotations. (if you have been bitten by a dog as a child
Distinction between denotation and connotations. (plural)
Connotations are extra associations we have with that word. Not the definition. These are personal or
emotional. Some are shared with other langauge users and share the sam connotiation for everyone. They can
also be unique for everyone.
Fe. Dog. Everyone has same denotation but not the same connotation. Dog may have positive connotations or
negative (have been bitten by a dog as a child)
Loaded language
Some words carry strong connotations that are generally agreed on by
language users
‘loaded’ words
= strong negative or positive connotation
= can have a powerful emotional impact
e.g.: vehicle, slavery, democracy, was, photosynthesis, torture, the, brat, morphophonemics, Rolls Royce,
fascism, building, freedom, hovel, a
, Text & Communication Semester 2
(torture: everyone agrees it has a negative connotation; slavery: negative as well; democracy: positive;
freedom: positive; fascism: negative)
!! Whether or not the word is loaded depends on culture. E.g.: In europe fascism is negative due to our history.
!!
Names can be loaded language as well. Trevor Noah says Hitler is a popular name in South Africa. They have a
vague sense of who that was.
Example of how it can differ from culture to culture.
Not loaded
- Grammatical words
articles, auxiliary verbs, etc.
meaning is grammatical rather than lexical
e.g.: the, a, was
- Terminology
words that are highly specialized
words restricted to a particular area
e.g.: photosynthesis, morpho phonemics
- General words
classification function
encompass more specific terms
e.g.: vehicle, building, hovel
Hypernyms
Words that have a classification function
e.g.: fruit, animal, bird, flower, building, vehicle
Hyponyms
Words with a more specific meaning
e.g.: dog, cow, chicken, pig, swan, vulture, eagle, rose, carnation
Hyponyms are more likely to carry strong connotations:
specific connotations can be carried out by using specific words
We associate hyponyms with other things: e.g.: wans: elegant
Synonyms
English has a wealth of synonyms:
= a range of words that focus around the same area of meaning
Allows speakers or writers to express an opinion by choosing a synonym that is loaded in negative or
positive way.
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