Literalistic: meaning, definitions and examples
📖
literalistic
[ˌlɪt(ə)ˈrɪstɪk ]
Definition
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