Literalistic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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literalistic

[ˌlɪt(ə)ˈrɪstɪk ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

literary criticism

Adhering to the exact literal meaning of a word or phrase; not allowing for any exaggeration or metaphorical interpretation.

Synonyms

literal, verbatim, word-for-word.

Examples of usage

His literalistic interpretation of the text left no room for alternative meanings.
She criticized his literalistic approach to poetry, arguing that it lacked depth and nuance.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Literature

In literary analysis, a literalistic approach often overlooks metaphorical meanings, leading to misunderstandings of the text's deeper messages.
Some children’s stories encourage literalistic readings to promote comprehension before introducing more abstract interpretations.

Psychology

Individuals with certain cognitive styles may interpret language more literally, which can lead to difficulties in social interactions where humor is used.
Literalistic thinking can be challenging in situations that require understanding sarcasm or idioms, as it focuses on factual meanings.

Communication

In conversation, being too literalistic may create misunderstandings, especially when people joke or use expressions that aren't meant to be taken seriously.
Effective communication often relies on balancing literal interpretations with an understanding of context and emotional subtext.

Culture

Some cultures place a strong emphasis on non-verbal cues, which can clash with a literalistic approach that relies solely on spoken words.
In certain religious texts, a literalist interpretation may lead to different understandings compared to more symbolic interpretations common in other cultures.

Origin of 'literalistic'

Main points about word origin

The term 'literalistic' combines 'literal,' meaning true to the letter, and the suffix '-istic,' indicating a characteristic or quality.
It first emerged in English around the 19th century, reflecting a growing emphasis on precise language use in literature and religious texts.

The word 'literalistic' is derived from the noun 'literal', which comes from the Latin word 'literalis', meaning 'of letters'. The suffix '-istic' is used to form adjectives indicating a characteristic or propensity. Therefore, 'literalistic' describes a tendency to adhere strictly to the literal meaning of words or phrases.