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Explicit sense

Concept
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The direct, surface-level meaning of language without implied connotations

Detailed Definition
Explicit sense: Meaning that is stated directly and unmistakably rather than implied, suggested, or left to inference. Explicit sense values clarity and precision over ambiguity, ensuring readers grasp intended meanings without interpretive uncertainty. In poetry, explicit sense may provide necessary grounding or serve as a stylistic choice that refuses the mystification sometimes associated with poetic language.
Example
Example in poetry:
Obvious, surface-level meaning clearly stated; Literal sense before interpretation; Direct meaning as opposed to hidden significance; What the text says before what it implies
Additional Notes
Clearly stated, literal meaning rather than implied or hidden sense. Important for distinguishing surface from deeper levels of interpretation.
Also Known As
Literal sense Obvious meaning Surface signification Denotative content Denotation
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