DENOTATIONS AND CONNOTATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF TRANSLATION OF ENGLISH TEXTS

Abstract

The theoretical part of the article is aimed at substantiating the concepts of denotation and connotation at different levels of scholarly interpretation, namely the general theoretical (philosophical), linguistic, and semantic levels. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the correlation between the objective content of a linguistic unit and its subjective evaluative, emotiveexpressive, and culturally conditioned layers of meaning. The importance of theoretical generalization, modelling, and systematization of semantic phenomena is demonstrated as a means of achieving a deeper understanding of each individual case of connotation by identifying its affiliation with a particular type (class) of homogeneous lexical constructs. Denotata and connotata as phenomena inherent in the English language are examined from the perspective of their cultural origin, historical conditioning, practical usage, and determination by specific contexts of speech. Special emphasis is placed on the processes of transformation of the semantic meanings of English denotata and connotata across space (the horizontal dimension), over time (the vertical dimension), and within situational communicative practice involving individuals with different levels of background knowledge, personal intentions, communicative attitudes, and experience. This multidimensional approach makes it possible to trace the dynamics of meaning and to identify the factors that influence its actualization in a concrete speech act. The article also examines and provides a detailed characterization of the main types of connotata based on their semantic potential and functional purpose. In particular, lexical items with potentially dual meanings are distinguished, as well as lexemes with evaluative connotations (positive or negative value), synonymic sets used to differentiate various degrees and nuances of qualities in the characterization of people, objects, and phenomena, and words that acquire stylistic markedness depending on the sphere of use, genre, and communicative situation. On the basis of the analysis conducted, practical recommendations are offered to facilitate the recognition, interpretation, and adequate rendering of denotative and connotative meanings in the translation of English-language texts of various types. The proposed approaches may be applied both in the professional training of translators and in their subsequent professional practice.