Figurative, Connotative, and Technical Meaning

Figurative, Connotative and Technical Meaning

Figurative, Connotative, and Technical Meaning

Figurative Meaning

Types of Figurative Language

The Meaning of Language

Connotative and Denotative Meaning

Technical Meaning

Identifying Figurative Language

MEANING OF LANGUAGE

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FIGURATIVE MEANING

Figurative meaning is different from the dictionary or literal meaning. It means something deeper.

• Figurative language helps describe things, often by comparing one thing to another.
• Figurative language is often more interesting and beautiful than plain language.
• Figurative language can communicate emotional meanings or a person’s thoughts.

TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

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IDENTIFYING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Some examples of figurative language may be so familiar that you do not even recognize them as figurative. To identify figurative language, look for places where the text uses words and phrases in a non-literal way. You can look for

• unusual words or descriptions of uncommon objects or ideas
• the words like or as in similes and analogies
• references to people, stories, or events, especially in myth or history
• humorous or comedic descriptions or use of language
• names given to abstract ideas or inanimate objects.

Ask yourself these questions about the passage:

• What figurative language does the author use?
• Are any comparisons being made?
• Are words or phrases repeated?
• Do the phrases and sentences make sense on a literal level?
• In what context is the figurative language being used?

CONNOTATIVE AND DENOTATIVE MEANING

Authors can use nonliteral language in another way. Many words can have both a denotative meaning and a connotative meaning. The denotative meaning is the literal dictionary definition. The connotative meaning is the word’s associated ideas or emotions, separate from its literal meaning. Because connotative meaning is emotional, look for it by monitoring your own reactions to a text. Ask yourself these questions:

• How does this sentence/paragraph make me feel?
• What mood, atmosphere, or visuals do I use to imagine this scene, person, or event?
• What words contribute to that feeling or image?
• Does the feeling or image come from the definitions of the words, or from something else?
• In what context is the word or words being used?

TECHNICAL MEANING

Authors of informational texts use technical language for two main reasons:

• Technical language is precise.
• Readers of many informational texts are people who already possess knowledge of the subject matter.

These readers expect to have ideas expressed using technical language. They have no problem comprehending it, since it is at their level of knowledge. Ask yourself these questions:

• What language might be specific to the subject or topic of the text?
• Why does the author use this type of language?
• In what context is the word or words being used?
• What do the technical words mean?