Literalistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "literalistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 literalístico

🇮🇳 शाब्दिकवादी

🇩🇪 literalistisch

🇮🇩 literalistik

🇺🇦 буквальний

🇵🇱 literalistyczny

🇯🇵 文字通りの

🇫🇷 littéraliste

🇪🇸 literalista

🇹🇷 literalist

🇰🇷 문자주의적인

🇸🇦 حرفي

🇨🇿 literalistický

🇸🇰 literalistický

🇨🇳 文字主义的

🇸🇮 literalističen

🇮🇸 bókstafstrúar

🇰🇿 бұлжытпайтын

🇬🇪 ლიტერალისტური

🇦🇿 literalist

🇲🇽 literalista