litération

Litération is a term used in linguistics and literary analysis to describe the repetition of similar sounds, most commonly consonants, at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables within a phrase or sentence. It is a rhetorical device that can enhance the musicality, rhythm, and memorability of language, often employed for aesthetic effect in poetry, prose, and song lyrics. The term is derived from the Latin word "littera," meaning letter.

While alliteration is a specific type of consonance focusing on initial consonant sounds, litération can encompass a broader range of repeated consonant sounds, including those within words or at the end of words. However, in common usage, the distinction between litération and alliteration is often blurred, with "alliteration" being the more widely recognized and frequently used term for the phenomenon. Examples of litération or alliteration include phrases like "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" or "She sells seashells by the seashore." The effect is achieved through the sonic interplay of the repeated sounds, drawing attention to the words and contributing to the overall texture and impact of the text. Its deliberate use can create emphasis, create a sense of unity, or evoke a particular mood or feeling in the reader or listener.