1. the act or process of interpreting something in a literal or strictly factual manner, rather than figuratively or symbolically
Usage: often used in literary criticism and language analysis
2. the conversion of something abstract, figurative, or symbolic into a concrete or literal form
Usage: common in art, literature, and translation studies

Examples

• The literalization of the metaphor in the poem changed its meaning entirely.
• Her literalization of the idiom showed she did not understand its figurative sense.
• The artist's literalization of the dream sequence made it less surreal and more grounded.
• In translation, the literalization of wordplay often loses the original humor.
• The literalization of abstract concepts can sometimes make them easier to understand.
• Critics argued that the film's literalization of the novel's symbolism weakened its impact.