An Analysis of Denotative and Connotative Meaning in Sunday School Children’s Conversation at HKBP Sinaksak Eben Ezer

Abstract

This study examines the interplay of denotative and connotative meanings in spontaneous conversations among Sunday School children aged 7-12 at Gereja HKBP Sinaksak Eben Ezer, an Indonesian urban Batak Protestant church. Employing qualitative content analysis of 10 transcribed dialogues (totaling 1,200 utterances) from recorded sessions, the research identifies how literal (denotative) interpretations dominate basic religious narratives, while connotative layers shaped by Batak cultural, emotional, and familial influences emerge in moral discussions and peer interactions. Findings reveal that 65% of connotative usages convey positive affiliations (e.g., "Tuhan/God" evoking comfort and protection beyond its literal sense), yet 25% introduce ambiguities leading to miscommunications. These patterns underscore children's developing pragmatic competence in faith-based discourse. Implications for Sunday School pedagogy include strategies for explicit meaning clarification to enhance comprehension and spiritual engagement. This analysis contributes to child language acquisition studies by bridging semantics with Batak religious socialization.