literal interpretation
[/ˈlɪtərəl ɪn.tɚ.prɪ.ˈteɪ.ʃən/]
nounpl: literal interpretations
interpretação literal
1. The act of understanding words or texts in their most basic, straightforward sense without metaphorical, symbolic, or figurative meaning
The court demanded a literal interpretation of the contract's language.
O tribunal exigiu uma interpretação literal da linguagem do contrato.
2. A reading or understanding that adheres strictly to the exact words used, without added inference or creative analysis
A literal interpretation of the biblical text differs from allegorical readings.
Uma interpretação literal do texto bíblico difere das leituras alegóricas.
3. In law and linguistics, the adherence to the denotative rather than connotative meaning of language
Legal documents often require literal interpretation to avoid ambiguity.
Documentos legais frequentemente exigem interpretação literal para evitar ambiguidade.
In Brazilian legal and academic contexts, 'interpretação literal' is strongly preferred over interpretações criativas (creative interpretations). However, in everyday speech, Brazilians often use the colloquial 'ao pé da letra' (literally 'at the foot of the letter'). In the United States, literal interpretation carries significant weight in constitutional law and statutory interpretation debates.
NYC Slang
straight-up reading / taking it word-for-word
Related Idioms & Phrases
take something at face value
ao pé da letra (Brazilian Portuguese)
palavra por palavra (word for word)
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