What is the difference between literality and literalness?

Definitions

literality

- Describing the quality of being literal or exact in meaning.

- Referring to the adherence to the exact words or text of a written work.

- Talking about the absence of metaphorical or figurative language in a statement or text.

literalness

- Describing the quality of being literal or factual in nature.

- Referring to the strict adherence to the actual meaning of a word or phrase.

- Talking about the lack of imagination or creativity in a statement or text.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both literality and literalness refer to the quality of being literal or exact in meaning.
• 2. Both words emphasize the importance of precise language and adherence to the actual meaning of words.
• 3. Both can be used to describe a lack of figurative or metaphorical language in a statement or text.

What is the difference?

• 1. Usage: Literality is more commonly used in literary or academic contexts, while literalness is more commonly used in everyday language.
• 2. Focus: Literality emphasizes the exactness of language and adherence to the text, while literalness emphasizes the factual or non-figurative nature of language.
• 3. Connotation: Literality can have a neutral or positive connotation, while literalness can have a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of creativity or imagination.
• 4. Application: Literality is often used to describe written works or texts, while literalness can be used to describe any type of language use.

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Remember this!

While literality and literalness share similarities in their emphasis on precise language and adherence to the actual meaning of words, they differ in their usage, focus, connotation, application, and etymology. Literality is more commonly used in literary or academic contexts and emphasizes the exactness of language and adherence to the text, while literalness is more commonly used in everyday language and emphasizes the factual or non-figurative nature of language. Literality can have a neutral or positive connotation, while literalness can have a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of creativity or imagination.