Literacy
Introduction
Literacy has always been defined as capacity of an individual to read and write. Literacy involves the ability to discover, comprehend, infer, form and communicate written resources which is usually linked to a variety of learning which subsequently help learners in accomplishing their goals. Through literacy one builds up knowledge and prospect to contribute adequately in ones community as well as the wider society. The integral comprehension of literacy as a performance helps one in defining different ways of speaking to different groups of people. It is quite evident that literacy does not just involve understanding of how to write, it is also about enhancing ones communication skills and knowledge. Communications skills are necessary in all aspects of life. One requires gaining literacy in order to fit in the society and community both economically and socially. Of note is that literacy helps to understand how one can actually speak to different types of people (Holme, 34).
Our society is full of different people who are in varying age groups, the young and the old. Others belong to different cultural backgrounds as well as different geographical locations. Others are our friends, family while others are complete strangers. It is for this reason that we require to gain understanding and competency while communicating to these different type’s of people. It is worth noting that literacy which usually involves both spoken and written language, signs and gestures is a social practice. It actually commences from our homes and culminates with the society at large. Notably, our families involve both the old and young ingeneration. The way I speak to my age mates as well as the younger generations differs from the way I speak to much older persons. There is usually some kind of language discrepancy. A person who is more advanced in age requires to be spoken to with a tone that should show some aspects of respect. The way that older people in the society speaks helps in influencing the younger generation in order to become useful members of the society (Cooper, 243).
Apart from age differences, gender also plays a major role in literacy. The two different genders are also subject to language variations. This is because both females and males use language in distinctive manners and they also take language in diverse perspective. Another factor that adds to literacy diversity is ethnicity. Of note are the home-grown individuals as well as persons from different countries where English is not their native language. These people require having diverse literacy types which will pave way for different language practices. While speaking to such people one should make sure whatever word comes from ones mouth is well selected in order to create and enhance an understanding and at the same time avoid misconceptions. Mostly, people who do not understand English should be well spoken to by use of signs and gestures. This calls for creativity in order to ensure that there is an understanding (Palmer, 47).
What we need to understand are the variations of words among different groups, ethnicity as well as cultures. There are quite a number of words which if pronounced wrongly would mean a different thing in another language. Some geographical regions may also have different connotation which may lead to misinterpretations thereby creating a communication barrier. Different geographical settings also affect the way of speaking since people from different localities speak differently. Therefore when speaking to such people one needs to understand which geographical areas they come from, their way of speaking so as to avoid communication barrier as well as misinterpretations of words? It is worth noting that different geographical settings affect dialects as well as language practices. For people with different pronunciation of world’s written communication is usually the best option (Holme, 34).
Just the same way different dialects requires language teachers to understand and cater for these differences, people should also try to speak while putting into considerations the differences in geographical settings, cultural background and age differences. The elderly tend to use formal language while the young generation prefers using the modern language. Therefore when speaking to an elderly person one should try to be as formal as possible and to avoid words which may have different implications. While talking to friends one can speak in a language that can be well understood by his/her friends. In addition, while speaking to the young people one should incorporate the modern language and at the same time be creative in his/her speech. Young people require a lively speech with incorporations of words which helps in keeping them lively and joyful (Cooper, 243).
Outstandingly, different genders have different literacy and language variations. For instance men employ different language variation and they employ it in a different context, therefore when speaking to males one should consider the variant which is mostly used by this gender as well as consider their inferences. When speaking to young boys and girls one should consider what they love most as well as social activities. Boys like calling each other names which is the opposite young girls. Therefore one should speak sensibly in order to avoid conflict.
Conclusion
Notably people from different locality also phrase their sentences in varying ways. When speaking to such people, one should avoid usage of complex sentences and phrases which may seem hard to understand and if there lack an understanding, signs and written communication should be utilized. Incorporation of simple sentences which are easier to make out is stressed. Language that is substandard should be applied on people who find English to be complex in order to promote their understanding.
When speaking to strangers, one should be precise and direct to the point. He/she should also speak reasonably and precisely in order to avoid wasting too much time on a person who is not familiar to him or her. One should be discrete in the information he/she gives to the stranger as he/she may never know the intention, the character and personality of the stranger. However, in order to ensure an understanding, one should take a minute or less so as understand the stranger’s way of speaking. This will in turn help him or her to speak adequately and in a way that the stranger understands (Palmer, 47)
Work Cited
Sue Palmer. Literacy: what works? New York: Nelson Thornes, 2003.p 47
Randal Holme. Literacy: an introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.p 34
David Cooper. Literacy helping students to construct meaning: London: Cengage Publishing 243
