-a 'signifier' is the form which the sign takes; and
the 'signified‘ is the concept it represents
Connotation would be the second order of signification: uses the denotative signifier as its sign and attaches an additional signified
Denotation would be the first order of signification: a sign consisting of a signifier and a signified
“the referential relationship between the sign itself and the reality it points to”
“the definitional, ‘literal’, ‘obvious’ or ‘commonsense’ meaning of a sign
“the associations and values attached to the word, which can be personal and/or public”
Apples
-It can be a symbol of health.
-It can have associated meanings of New York -“The Big Apple”.
-It can even have stand for sin.
rose
-For romantics a red rose can be a symbol of love.
-In Lancashire it is a symbol for the county.
-It has even been a symbol for a political party.
Aside from the strict dictionary definition, or denotation, many people associate such things as comfort, love, security, or privacy with a home but do not necessarily make the same associations with a house.
The denotation or literal interpretation of warm = nearly hot (actual temperature)
The connotation or figurative interpretation of warm = comforting friendly