Real Communication An Introduction

72 Part 1  Basic Communication Processes

Semantics involves the relationships among symbols, objects, people, and

concepts; it refers to the meaning that words have for people, either because

of their definitions or because of their placement in a sentence. Damon had

probably observed reactions to the use of the nasty name, so he thought it meant

“Give me my toys back.” What Damon had not learned was pragmatics, the abil-

ity to use his culture’s symbol systems appropriately. He may have gotten a few

laughs by using the language in front of his family at home, but he didn’t realize

that it’s inappropriate to use the word in other contexts. When you acquire lan-

guage, you learn semantics, but when you learn how to use the verbal symbols of

a culture appropriately, you learn pragmatics.

Key to understanding semantic and pragmatic meaning are three ideas that

we now examine: the multiple meanings of words, their varying levels of abstrac-

tion, and their usage in particular groups.

Words Have Multiple Meanings

As you saw in the opening “partner” vignette, a single word can have many

meanings. A dictionary can help you find the denotative meaning of a word—

its basic, consistently accepted definition. But to be a competent communicator,

you’ll also need to consider a word’s connotative meaning, people’s emotional

or attitudinal response to it. Consider the word school. It has several denotative

meanings, including a building where education takes place and a large group

of fish. But the word can also carry strong connotative meanings, based on your

attitudes toward and experiences with school: it might bring back happy memo-

ries of class birthday parties in second grade, or it might make you feel anxious

about final exams.

Obviously, choosing words carefully is important. Not only must you make

sure the denotative meaning is clear (using the word ostentatious with a bunch of

six-year-olds isn’t going to help you explain anything), but you also have to be

aware of the possible connotative meanings of the words you use (Hample, 1987).

Consider the words people might choose at a party to introduce the person to

whom they are married. They could say, “I’d like you to meet my wife,” or “... my

spouse” (or bride, old lady, ball-and-chain, better half). These terms denotatively

mean the same thing—their marital partner. But connotatively, they might generate

THE WORD SCHOOL has
multiple denotative meanings:
it is not only the place where
students learn but also a group
of fish. (left) MaxyM/Shutterstock;
(right) Comstock/Jupiter Images

What connotative meanings

does each of the following

words have for you: religion,

divorce, money, exercise,

travel, dancing, parenthood?

Why do you have the reac-

tion you do to each word?

AND YOU?