FYI a literal representation is "exact, unchanged". What you are describing in your text file is not a literal representation. Now the following script may do what you want: 
#! /usr/bin/perl -w

while (<>) {
  s/\\(.)/$1/g;
  print;
}

[download]
If that makes little sense to you then I highly recommend picking up the Llama book, Learning Perl. (One of whose authors is merlyn.)

In reply to Re (tilly) 5: UnEscaping text... by tilly
in thread UnEscaping text... by Anonymous Monk

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