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INTRODUCTION: Definitions of Literacy

Read the definitions below. Decide which one seems to you to be the best definition of literacy. The definitions are phrased in terms of what a person should be able to do to be considered "literate":

• able to sign his/her name
• able to read/write a simple sentence describing one's daily activities
• able to read and write, by his/her self-report (not based on a test)
• able to pass a written test of reading comprehension at a level comparable to that achieved by an average student at grade 4
• able to engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning in his/her community

Is your chosen definition the "best" one? Stop and think before moving on.

As it happens, several of these definitions, or variants of them, have been preferred at some point by some countries as "official" definitions of literacy, at least for reporting data to international agencies. Each country had reasons for its choice. As will be discussed later, there is no one right answer to the question posed. This will become clearer once we discuss the implications of such definitions for assessment.

So, what is literacy?

All definitions presented earlier assume that, to be considered "literate," a person has to be able to cope with some reading and/or writing tasks. Yet, what level or type of reading and writing skills are needed?

Existing definitions of literacy differ in several ways. For example, some imply that literacy is static or absolute; once you are able to sign your name, or finish a certain grade level, you are considered "literate." Other definitions (which are now accepted by most educators and organizations) view literacy as dynamic or relative; they assume literacy should be defined only within a certain context of functioning, which may change from one country/culture to another, or over time. Some definitions also include as part of literacy other mental skills, such as numeracy and problem solving.

The bottom line is that literacy is not a simple concept with a single, accepted meaning.

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