Literacy in general is such a complex topic to disscuss in so few words. You can take literacy and pair it literally with any other subjet in the world. We incounter literacy in our everday lives and don't even know we do.
This is astounding to me as it plays such a crutial role in the life of society. Literay in a sense could even be considered the basis of civilization. It all begins with a word, or a sign, or a conversation. Then it grows and evolves into a much greater, more important thing. Its weird to think that something that doesn't exist in physical form, yet it is carried out through millions of people everyday, can have such power.
There may never truly be a solid definition for literacy. That is fine by me. Not every word needs a definition. Especially one as complex as literacy. The main limiting factor for why literacy can't be defined would be that it changes with time. Literacy could possibly defined in the "here and now" form, but what's to say it won't change by tomorrow? It alters along with society. This to me is more than just a word and yet its something that no amount of words can entirely describe...
Ryan, this must be my day of agreement!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally, you are on the spot. How you define "Life" in any narrow context, it is absurd. Like you mentioned, literacy means different thing to people and different societies. For me I say, literacy is simply life and the skills needed to live it, through whatever shape or form.
I agree 100%
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your post. I feel that it's a lot like mine and we share the same questions and concept with literacy. I think that literacy can't really have a basic definition that's what makes it so confusing. I also thought you had a good reason behind why literacy couldn't be defined.
ReplyDeleteI agree, too. Literacy is very complex and ever-changing, which leaves me kinda stumped. I mean, it seems that no one can really define it, but yet we all use the term in general conversation as though every one shared the same understanding of the word. Why do you think that is?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a mithical creature almost. This is the only way I can think of how to decribe the term. We think we know what it is and we refer to it all the time and yet we can't completely grasp the idea of "literacy" as a whole.
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