SO2 + H2O = H2SO3

In such a statement the symbols are entirely unambiguous; they have been stripped of all connotations and of all denotations but one. The word sulfurous, if it occurred in poetry, might have all kinds of connotations: fire, smoke, brimstone, hell, damnation. But H2SO3 means one thing and one thing only: sulfurous acid.

The ambiguity and multiplicity of meanings possessed by words might be an obstacle to the scientist, but they are advantage for the poet who seeks richness of meaning. One resource for that is a multidimensional language using a multidimensional vocabulary, in which the dimensions of connotation and sound are added to the dimension of denotation.

The poet, we may say, plays on many-stringed instrument and sounds more than one note at a time.

The first task in reading poetry, therefore, as in reading any kind of literature, is to develop a sense of language, a feeling for words. One needs to become acquainted with their shape, their color, and their flavor. Two of the ways of doing this are extensive use of the dictionary and extensive reading.  

Here are some of the important words that are confused to be chosen by users:

            Imply  verb (implies, implying, implied) indicate by suggestion rather than explicit reference.

            Infer  verb (infers, inferring, inferred) deduce from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.

A writer or speaker implies; a reader or listener infers. An implication is a meaning hinted at but not stated outright. An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence not complete enough for proof.

  e.g: If you imply that I am a snob, I may infer that you do not like me.

According to the proverb “Some people believe what they just see.”

((Be as an intransitive verb)) ===> Inference

Is used to equal in meaning: have the same connotation (inferred meaning) as:

●SYMBOLIZE●

For example: <God is love>   ==> Love is a symbol for believing or understanding God.

Concept:

   According to the inference, that is a conclusion drawn from evidence. The mentioned sentence has been narrow-mindedly made by humans. That is to say there has been just 99 attributes made by humans.

Or: <January is the first month.> According to evidences.

In Persian, this usage is said ‘اضافه ی اقتران’  :

For instance: دست (به نشان) دریغ   <==   دست دریغ          

symbolizes   به نشان  =     (نشان پردازی کردن)    

CAUSE + verb ‘to be’ + EFFECT

((Some sentences can be implied or stated)) ===> Implication

For example:

Stated: Our friends were late for the concert last night.

Denotation, Connotation, Sound

   A primary distinction between the practical use of language and the literary use is that in literature, especially in poetry, a fuller use is made of individual word.

                                                                            Sound

The average word has three component parts:    Denotation

                                                                                 Connotation

It begins as a combination of tones and noises, uttered by the lips, tongue, and throat, for which the written word is a notation. But it differs from a musical tone or a noise in that it has a meaning attached to it. The basic part of this meaning is its denotation or denotations: that is, the dictionary meaning or meanings of the word. Beyond its denotations, a word may also have connotations. The connotations are what it suggests beyond what it expresses: its overtones of meaning. It acquires these connotations from its past history and associations, from the way and the circumstances in which it has been used. The word home, for instance, by denotation means only a place where one lives, but by connotation it suggests security, love, comfort, and family. The words Childlike and Childish both mean “characteristic of a child” but Childlike suggests meekness, innocence, and wide-eyed wonder, while Childish suggests pettiness, will fullness and temper tantrums. If we list the name of different coins:

   Nickel, peso, lira, shilling, sen, doubloon

The word doubloon, to four out of five readers, immediately will suggest pirates though a dictionary definition includes nothing about pirates. Pirates are part of its connotation.

   Connotation is very important in poetry, for it is one of the means by which the poet concentrate or enrich meaning _say more in fewer words.

So, the dictionary meanings give denotation, but Connotation is made by what a reader or listener infers. That is, connotation equals to circumstantial evidence. It can be used in poetry. Some poets such as Akhavan Saales, Nima Yushij, use natural elements. They use tree, sky, sun, and others similar to refer to unorganized circumstances and impasses occurred at their time period.

Structure:

        connotation : con + notation = reading carefully as a result of a tendency to understand more         by notation.

        Denotation : de + notation = independence of notation in order to limit understanding

A poetry from Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886)

There is no frigate like a book

There’s no Frigate like a book

To take us lands away

Nor any coursers like a page.

Of prancing poetry –

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll –

How frugal is the chariot

That bears the human soul

What is your survey about the poetry?

برداشت شما از این شعر چیست؟

 Writer: Morteza Torabi

http://www.english-step.blogfa.com

E-mail: afmp.torabi@Gmail.com