Sunday, January 22, 2012

Literate or Illiterate

I was very interested in the discussions we had in class about literacy. I felt like we made valid points on what we felt about it. However we didn’t speak much about what is illiterate I feel as though that is what defines where literacy ends. For example no disrespect but people such as Gullah-Geechee are said to be illiterate. Many say that they speak a broken English however if you research their way of speaking they were here a long time ago. They actually speak with an African base dialect. I feel like literacy is the ability to read, write and for people to say that they are illiterate is an opinion. Just like people on facebook would you say they are illiterate for typing wat rather than what or r rather than are. It’s the groups’ way of communicating and there are many countries around the world that communicate differently then what grammar says is right. Literacy is very diverse just as well as we are and plays a very important role in our everyday life. Whether we are talking formally or socially. When it comes to literacy I think that there is a large grey area, which is open for discussion. I’m sure somebody else would explain literacy much differently then how I went about it. Is it to say that I am wrong and there definition is right or vice versa. My main thing is literacy is very indistinguishable. Grammar is also and I think that grammar is behind all of the different ways to explain literacy

9 comments:

  1. I agree man I feel like what is it to be literate isn't very well defined

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  2. There will problably always be that gray area when talking about literacy and i think reading and writing play a big part in determining what literacy is.

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  3. I agree Sef because a definition for literacy just isn't clear. Literacy is just how you view it.

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  4. Sef, I think that you bring up some very good points. I am really curious about your take on labeling people as illiterate. If literacy is so ambiguous, then why are we quick to mark someone as being either literate or illiterate, especially when the benefits and costs are so high?

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  5. It's all about perception man and you hit the nail on the head

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  6. I like that you mentioned something that seemed close and personal to you to prove a point. It shows that you are willing to expose yourself in order to show others you are serious about what you're explaining.

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