Reference and denotation

Reference and denotation

1. Reference

   • Is the relation between a language expression
     • Example
       • As this door, both doors, the dog, another dog
         • The expression pertains to in a particular situation of language use, including what a speaker may imagine.

2. Denotation

   • Is the potential of a word like door or dog to enter into such language expressions
     • Denotation is the knowledge they have that makes their use successful.
   • Identifies the central aspect of word meaning, which everybody generally agrees about