Literature

Literature consists of written productions, often restricted to those deemed to have artistic or intellectual value. Its Latin root literatura/litteratura (derived itself from littera, letter or handwriting) was used to refer to all written accounts, but intertwined with the roman concept of cultura: learning or cultivation. Literature often uses language differently than ordinary language (see literariness). Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction and whether it is poetry or prose; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama; and works are often categorised according to historical periods or their adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations (genre).

The concept has changed meaning over time: nowadays it can broaden to include non-written verbal art forms, and thus it is difficult to agree on its origin, which can be paired with that of language or writing itself. Developments in print technology have allowed an evergrowing distribution and proliferation of written works, culminating in electronic literature.

Literature (card game)

Literature is a card game for 4 to 12 players, most commonly played with 6 or 8 players in two teams. It uses a modified version of the Western 52-playing card deck; four cards with the same face value (typically 2's or 8's) are removed, leaving 48 cards. The game is sometimes called Canadian Fish, after the similar Go Fish.

Rules

The players are divided into two teams seated in alternating order. The 48 cards are dealt out to the players. Conceptually the 48 cards are divided into 8 half-suits, such as "low spades" or "high hearts". For the Literature variant where the 2's are removed, the 'low' half-suit contains cards numbered 3 through 8, and a 'high' half-suit containing cards 9 through Ace. For the variant with 8's removed, the low and high half-suits are 2-7 and 9-A respectively. The third variant is when the 7s are removed, and consequently the half-suits are A-6 and 8-K. The objective is to win more half-suits than the other team. In case of more than 8 players, some groups also add an extra suit using the four removed cards and two distinguishable jokers from the deck of cards, hence making it a best-of-9 suits.