Words are living, breathing entities that morph over time and place. OK, they're aren't "alive" in a scientific sort of way, but if you study language and love words, you know what I mean by that, right?
Not only do words have precise meanings, they also carry implications. In technical terms, we call this denotation and connotation.
The denotation of a word is its exact meaning as stated in the dictionary, while the connotation of a word evokes either a positive or negative association. For example: the words "stingy" and "frugal" both imply a hesitation in spending or giving, yet "stingy" carries a decidedly negative connotation of one being ungenerous, while "frugal" carries the positive connotation of being careful or wise.
The dictionary definitions of the following words are nearly the same, yet most of them carry a positive or negative connotation. Interestingly, some can be either, depending on the context in which they are used. It is also true that culture and sub-culture can be a determining factor in the way one perceives the connotation of a word, which means that one person may react to a word differently than another.
Do the following words carry a positive, negative or neutral connotation for YOU?
brave
courageous
audacious
valiant
intrepid
plucky
bold
4 comments:
All but audacious are positive for me. Intrepid is not really negative or positive for me--I just think of it as descriptive. I guess it is more negative in the sense of instillng fear. (I do think of the Dodge Intrepid, too. That's the kind of car Mark drives.)
I love this part of your Blog Lori, I have learned much. You can teach an old dog new tricks...LOL
"Brave" and "courageous" seem interchangeable to me. "Audacious" seems to connote boldness unbefitting one's station, bordering on arrogance. But not always. "Valiant" is beautiful, and ancient-sounding. "Plucky" connotes a peculiar boldness characteristic of small or weak people--like Reepicheep the Mouse. "Bold" is pretty neutral in connotation to me. "Intrepid" makes me think of Spaceman Spiff. Not sure why.
We're mostly on the same page. Brave and courageous are equally positive to me, while valiant carries not only a positive connotation, but a noble one as well.
Bold and audacious can change connotation depending on context.
I think of plucky as being bold in a way not befitting your place/station or as you pointed out, Alicia, size! Reepicheep is a perfect example of plucky!
Intrepid, for me, implies a boldness that strikes fear and intimidation into the heart...so depending on where it's directed, it could be + or -! So there you go!
Thanks for playing along, girls.
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