Final answer:
It is true that two synonyms can have approximately the same emotive meaning as words carry not just literal meanings but also emotional associations, which are often shared across synonyms due to common human experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether two synonyms can have approximately the same emotive meaning is complex, as emotive meaning can vary based on context and cultural interpretations. Nonetheless, it is true that two synonyms can indeed have very similar, if not identical, emotive connotations.
Words carry not just denotative meaning (their literal definition) but also connotative meaning, which includes the emotional associations with the word. For example, the synonyms 'joyful' and 'elated' both convey a high degree of happiness, generally carrying the same positive emotional charge.
Exploring how language is intertwined with our emotions and experiences, as described by Lakoff and Johnson, can extend our understanding of the emotive meanings words can carry. Similarly, the 'objective correlative' concept by T.S. Eliot reinforces how certain language, objects, or situations evoke specific emotions. Therefore, the emotive meanings of synonyms often overlap due to shared human experiences and cultural metaphors.