Types of Meaning

Khori Putri Ramadhani

Redha Shafira
 * Conceptual meaning
Conceptual meaning means logical, cognitive,
or denotative content.
It is the basic propositional meaning which
corresponds to the primary dictionary
definition.
Ex :
a. Man:                [+HUMAN+ADULT+MALE]
b. Women:           [+HUMAN+ADULT+FEMALE]
c. Girl:                 [+HUMAN-ADULT+FEMALE]
d. Boy:                [+HUMAN –ADULT+ MALE]
e. Bull:                [-HUMAN +ADULT +MALE]
Connotative meaning means the
communicative value an expression has by
virtue of what it refers to.

Ex : in English the word “dog” has the

connotation ‘loyalty’
In another language or culture “dog” has the
connotation “unstable emotion”

*Connotative meaning
Social meaning means what is communicated
of the social circumstances of language use.

Ex : dialect ” pavement”is used in British

English and “sidewalk” in American English

*Social meaning
Affective meaning means what is
communicated of the feelings and attitudes
of the speaker/writer.

Ex :
a. I am terribly sorry to interrupt, but I
wonder if you would be so kind as to
lower your voices a little.
b. Will you belt up.

*Affective meaning
 *Reflected meaning

Reflected meaning means when a word has more

than one conceptual meaning or multiple
conceptual meaning.

Ex : In poetry we have reflected meaning

“ Are limbs so dear achieved, are sides, Full nerved
still warm –too hard to stir “
 *Collocative meaning
Collocative meaning means what is
communicated through association with words
which tend to occur in the environment of
another word.

Ex :
Heavy news means a piece of sad news.
Heavy schedule means a very tight schedule.
Fast color means the color that does not fade.
Fast friend means a reliable friend.
 *Thematic Meaning
Thematic meaning is the meaning that is
communicated by the way in which the
speaker or writer organizes the message, in
terms of ordering, focus, and emphasis.

Ex :
1. Mrs. Smith donated the first prize.
2. The first prize was donated by Mrs. Smith.