Branches of linguistics. Synchronic vs diachronic approaches to the language study. Lexicology – ‘the science of the word’ Lexicon

Components of Lexical Meaning

Lexical meaning is not homogenous either and may be analysed as including denotative and connotative components.

Denotative (denotational) (Lat. denotatum ‘signified’) component is the conceptual content of the word fulfilling its significative and communicative functions; our experience is conceptualised and classified in it.

Connotative (connotational) (Lat. connoto ‘additional meaning’) component conveys the speaker’s attitude to the social circumstances and the appropriate functional style, one’s approval or disapproval of the object spoken of, the speaker’s emotions, the degree of intensity; unlike denotations or significations, connotations are optional.