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literacy

thumb|upright=1.35|Adult literacy rates, 2023 Literacy is the ability to read and write, and illiteracy is the inability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of literacy as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was understood solely as alphabetical literacy (understanding the meanings of words without necessarily being able to use words); and the period after 1950, when literacy slowly began to be considered as a wider concept and process, including the social and cultural aspects of reading, writing, and functional literacy.

AI overview

Literacy is the ability to read and write, while illiteracy is the inability to do so. The way people understand literacy has evolved—before 1950 it meant simply understanding written words, but since then it has expanded to include broader social, cultural, and functional aspects of reading and writing.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Research

53,403 papers

Data literacy in genome research.ReviewJournal of integrative bioinformatics · 2023Wolff K, Friedhoff R, Schwarzer F et al.DOI: 10.1515/jib-2023-0033
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports for Language and Literacy in Preschool: Considerations for Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.ReviewSeminars in speech and language · 2021Barton-Hulsey A, Phinney S, Collins SDOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730996
Digital literacy in undergraduate pharmacy education: a scoping review.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA · 2024Alowais M, Rudd G, Besa V et al.DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocad223
Technological literacy in nursing education: A scoping review.Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing · 2021Nes AAG, Steindal SA, Larsen MH et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.01.008
Media Literacy Practices to Prevent Obesity and Eating Disorders in Youth.ReviewCurrent obesity reports · 2024Kaiser CK, Edwards Z, Austin EWDOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00547-8
Pharmacists' Knowledge and Perceptions of Health Literacy.ReviewJournal of pharmacy practice · 2023Murphy PZ, Jester APDOI: 10.1177/08971900221074958
Understanding physical literacy in the context of health: a rapid scoping review.BMC public health · 2020Cornish K, Fox G, Fyfe T et al.DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09583-8
Advocating for Patient Care Literacy.ReviewAmerican journal of pharmaceutical education · 2018Poirier TIDOI: 10.5688/ajpe6884

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Commons category: Literacy

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~87 min read

Article

67 sections

Contents

Definition
Functional illiteracy
Historical overview
Origins
Alphabetic writing
Antiquity
Medieval and early modern eras
Industrialization
Modern proliferation (1950 – present)
Regional disparities
Social impact and demographics
Gender
Challenges of increasing female literacy
Gender gap for boys in developed countries
Socioeconomic impact
Effects on literacy learning
Health impacts
Economic impacts
Lifespan development and promotion efforts
Literacy as a development indicator
Measuring literacy
Literacy as a human right
Teaching literacy
Post-conflict settings
Teaching migrant, immigrant, and non-native users
By continent
Europe
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Continental Europe
North America
Canada
Mexico
United States
South America
Brazil
Africa
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Egypt
Ethiopia
Guinea
Kenya
Mali
Mauritius
Niger
Senegal
Somalia
Sierra Leone
Asia
Afghanistan
China
India
Iran
Laos
Pakistan
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Oceania
Australia
See also
Notes
Citations
References
Further reading
External links

Literacy is essential in everyday life, as it enables individuals to navigate the world easily and pursue the life they want. Its benefits goes beyond reading and writing; literacy is a key component to academic success and contributes significantly to confidence and self-esteem.