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Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2012-24, Social Research Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/socialresearch/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for additions or amendments.
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Denotation
Denotation, as a noun, means that which is marked or signified. As a verb, to denote means to specify, signify or point out.
In some fields of philosophy, denotation is opposed to connotation; the former refers to particulars while the latter is an abstract (dictionary) definition.
Denotation in literature is in effect the generalised meaning of a word. For example, 'pig' denotes a domesticated animal grown for its meat. This is contrasted with connotation where pig might connote pigginess and applied to chauvinist males, law enforcers, etc.
It is arguably difficult to make a clear separation between connotation and denotation, a point developed in semiology.
Chandler (2011) writes
'Denotation' tends to be described as the definitional, 'literal', 'obvious' or 'commonsense' meaning of a sign. In the case of linguistic signs, the denotative meaning is what the dictionary attempts to provide. For the art historian Erwin Panofsky, the denotation of a representational visual image is what all viewers from any culture and at any time would recognize the image as depicting (Panofsky 1970a, 51-3). Even such a definition raises issues - all viewers? One suspects that this excludes very young children and those regarded as insane, for instance. But if it really means 'culturally well-adjusted' then it is already culture-specific, which takes us into the territory of connotation..
See also
Researching the Real World Section 5
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