The Significance of The Word

1. The Significance of The Word Denotation and Connotation Register and Tone.

2. Denotation • This is the definition of a word Spinster: an unmarried woman. The word ‘spinster’ denotes an unmarried woman. The word ‘spinster’ has denotations of an unmarried woman.

3. Connotation • This is not the meaning of a word but the suggestion of a word. • Spinster: elderly woman; conservative; old-fashioned, reserved: possibly prudish, cold. The word ‘spinster’ has connotations of elderliness, conservatism, coldness. The word ‘spinster’ connotes elderliness, conservatism, coldness.

4. Creating Mood through Connotation • For a long time she stood at the window, staring into the grey and empty garden. The word ‘…….’ has ………… of ………….. . This suggests the woman is ………………… . This idea is reinforced by the word ‘………...’ which has ……………. of ………………… .

5. Connotation cont… 2. Everything seemed bright when he saw her and the sun was in everything: the sea and the sky, the fields of corn, her hair. He leapt off his bike to meet her.

6. Connotation cont… 3. Lying in the long grass on his back, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. A little way off he could hear the gentle murmur of bees. There was nothing in the world but his breathing and the warmth and the little traffic of summer insects.

7. Register • The register of language is its formal or informal impact. • Informal language - which might include slang and colloquial expressions - would not be an appropriate register for a job interview for example. • Formal language would be similarly odd at a party.

8. Register • Modern English is made up of several languages, chiefly Anglo-Saxon and Old Norman French which derives mostly from Latin. These have a different register. • Anglo-Saxon (from 450AD) – Down-to-earth, common, blunt. • Latinate Norman French( from 1066AD)– Sophisticated, technical, intellectual.

9. Anglo-Saxon Matthew 7. 24-27 Ælc Þara Þe Þas min word gehierÞ, and Þa wyrcÞ, biÞ gelic Þæm wisan were, se his hus ofer stan getimbrode. þa com Þær regen and micel flod, and Þær bleowan windas, and ahruron on Þæt hus, and hit na ne feoll: soÞlice hit wæs ofer stan getimbrod. And ælc Þara Þe gehierÞ Þas min word, and Þa ne wyrcÞ, se biÞ gelic Þæm dysigan menn, Þe getimbrode his hus ofer sand-ceosol. þa rinde hit, and Þær common flod, and bleowon windas, and a-hruron on Þæt hus, and Þæt hus feoll; and his hryre was micel.

10. Norman French • le Roy Duc et lez leis Engleis illoeques sont mis en subjection et retrets & les enemyes Irroies en hauser & relevez encontre reson nostre Seignour le Roy considerantz les mischiefs suisditz pour les grevouses pleints des communes de sa dit terre appellez a son parliament tenus a Kilkeny le Joesdy proschin apres le feste de Cendres lan de son roialme quarantisme devant son tresfame filz Leonell Duc de Clarence son Lieutenaunt es parties dirland al honure de dieu et de sa gloriouse mere et de seint Esglise et pour la bone governement de la dit terre et giuste du people et pour les leies mult garder et les mesfesseur chasties si sont ordinez et establiez par nostre dit Seignour le Roy et son dit lieutenant et le conseil nostre Seignour le Roy illeoques del assent des Ercevesques Evesques Abbez et priours en ce que appertient a eux de assentez.

11. Register and Connotation • Look at the following synonyms. • Guess the origin language, identify the register as informal or formal and consider the connotations of each of the following: • Regal Kingly • Bruise Contusion • Feminine Womanly • Epidemic Plague • Disease Sickness • Small Petite • Great Grand

12. Tone • This is the mood or ‘voice’ of a piece of writing. • Critical, mocking, hectoring, humorous, ironic, sarcastic, emotional, passionate, enthusiastic, nostalgic…

13. Tone • Identifying the tone of a piece of writing is one thing. • Understanding how the tone is achieved is another. Tone can be achieved through use of… • Word choice- connotation. • Imagery • Incongruity • Structure • Sound