Technological Age Redefining Literacy

Redefining Literacy
The traditional definition of literacy is the ability to read and write. Reading, according to the Webster’s Dictionary (the first definition), is a term that means using touch or sight to receive the sense of letters. On the other hand, writing is the use of an instrument to develop characters or text on a surface (Merriam-Webster, 2017). The two definitions point to a written language with the potential to limit ideas that can be communicated. However, the two terms have other definitions. Writing can also be defined as the process of making an impression that is permanent. Reading is also the ability to decode or interpret significance or meaning (Merriam-Webster, 2017). Literacy practices and literacy events are also critical to being literate.
Literacy practice is the way people adopt written language in their daily lives. The practices encompass attitudes, values, social relationships and feelings (Street, 1993, 12), but not just behaviors that can be observed. It is a set of social practices inferred from text-mediated events. Literacy events are activities based on writing or reading; they involve written texts. They are observable events arising from literacy practices that define them (Barton et al., 2000, 8). The events are made up of written texts and how they are developed. The aspects of literacy offer literacy social view as a set of social practices based on observable events and written texts (Barton et al., 2000, 9). The scope of the definition of literacy increases exponentially due to the broader definitions of the terms related to it. Therefore, literacy is inclusively defined as the ability to interpret and assess the surrounding world. This ability is made up of three elements: social, cognitive and critical skills.
The cognitive element of literacy emphasizes on the interpretation of what is read. It is important to understand what is to be read and the essence of reading it before actually getting to read it. While reading, a reader must understand the text that is being read. When done reading, take time to make sure that the whole message being communicated is understand. That would sometimes mean a text has to be read several times to properly understand its message. Moreover, the reason for reading is also important, but depending on the text source. For instance, is the text a novel for pleasure or a textbook for a class? Is it a comedy produced to make people laugh or an educational documentary? Literacy is the interpretation of a message with regards to its source and the reading purpose. As an example, The Onion publishes articles that can be interpreted as satire.
Literacy as a social practice emphasizes on the experiences responsible for readings interpretation and how the message will be assessed. “When we hear a word or read a text, we simulate experiences in our head to give the word or text a specific meaning relevant to the context in which it occurred” (Gee, 215, p. 80). Moreover, an individual’s experience with coffee impacts his response upon hearing that coffee spillage requires cleaning. The person may get a mop or broom to clean up the spill based on his history with coffee and cleaning. A person who doesn’t take coffee would find that response ridiculous because liquids are wiped off with a piece of cloth, not a broom. However, after a while, it becomes clear that the book example refers to cleaning ground coffee beans spillage, a solid material. That means, using a broom to clean the coffee spill does make sense.
The popular sci-fi show, Doctor Who (2011), also presents a good example of literacy as a social practice. The show’s premise is focused on the name of its main character “Doctor”. It is a nod acknowledging that the character helps save people. Doctor Who – The definition of the term “Doctor”. British and American cultures perceive the label of this show positively, associating it with the true definition of the term “Doctor”. Therefore, doctors are people highly respected in the society. Similarly, a girl from the Gamma Forest, in season 6, episode 7, explains her reasons for joining the army. She does so to meet the Doctor. According to her culture, the term “doctor” refers to a “might warrior” because it is founded on her culture’s experience with the Doctor in a time of trouble. As a result, the term “doctor” directly affects the definition the sender communicates based on language.
The essential part of literacy emphasizes on the ability to assess what has been interpreted, what it means to the readers or audience, and its impact on the real world. Individuals can use literacy to access the tools they need to free themselves from cultural and social restraints. A good example is the story of Frederick Douglass. Despite being a slave and the protests of his master, Hugh Auld, Douglass learned how to write and read as a child. Later, he shared that his master told him that literacy would never benefit him as a slave, but do him more harm than good. He would end up being unhappy and dissatisfied. The master stated that literacy “would forever unfit Douglass for the duties of a slave; and, learning would do him no good, but probably a great deal of harm, making him disconsolate and unhappy. If you learn how to read, you’ll want to know how to write; and if this is accomplished, you’ll be free” (Royer, 1994). Auld, the salve master, recognized that the key to Douglass’s freedom was being literate. Sousanis (2015) also wrote extensively on the value of personal freedom from the society and routine. He stated that, “It takes lightening of inertia, a spark, to pierce a stifling atmosphere responsible for rupturing the smooth, undifferentiated façade of how it is, to show that people are anything but flat. The awareness results from people’s ability to reflect and meditate individually and on the environment” (Sousanis, 2015, p. 129).
Literacy is a dynamic concept. The various elements of literacy discussed in this essay show that literacy has more than one meaning. It explains what it actually means to be literate when all the elements are put together. Literacy involves the process of interpreting the messages being communicated and assessing what they mean. Literacy skills are critical to developing individual identity and broadening personal or group abilities if allowed.
Glossary
Literacy is the ability to read and write.
Reading is a cognitive process of decoding symbols or characters to derive its meaning. It is a way of processing language.
Writing is putting text together to compose a publication. It is a form of human communication representing emotions and language in the form of symbols, characters and signs. It is a tool that makes languages readable.
Text is written content, a book or printed work. It is a piece of writing or the body of a book. It can also be a message or anything that can be read.
Literacy practices is learning based on understanding and developing texts in social events in previous beliefs, knowledge, social relationships and attitudes. They are the activities based on reading and writing with the intention of understanding its meaning. It is how texts and language are utilized to help readers in their everyday lives.
Literacy events are observable activities based on writing or reading.




References
[DoctorWho201195]. (2011, June 4). Doctor Who?—?Series 6?—?Is The Other Person River From the Past? Or The Future? [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXxZI4v56u0
Barton, D., Hamilton, M. and Ivanic, R. (2000) Situated literacies: reading and writing in context. Abingdon, Routledge.
Gee, J.P. (2015). Literacy and education. New York: Routledge.
read. 2017. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/read
Royer, D. (1994). The Process of Literacy as Communal Involvement in the Narratives of Frederick Douglass. African American Review,28(3), 363–374. doi:10.2307/3041973
Sousanis, N. (2015). Unflattening. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Street, B. (1993) The new literacy studies. Journa l of Resea rch in Rea ding, 16 (2), 81-97. CrossRef
write. 2017. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 24,2017, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write