By Maritza Ramos

Literacy

Development & Social Factors

In order for us to begin, we must first understand what

literacy is.

What is

What is

There is no exact definition for the word literacy.Instead, we look at how people use literacy, which depends on what people do in their life and what they are exposed to.

“Literacy is a many-meaninged thing.” -Sylvia Scribner

So…what factors have an influence on the way people use literacy?

“It should not be surprising to see differences in literacy between members of different ethnic groups, age groups, sexes, socioeconomic classes, etc.”

-John F. Szwed

IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSON

Since everyone is different, everyone has different factors that have influenced the way

in which they view/use literacy.

Medicine

• Physicians may see x-rays and other charts as a form of literacy

On the other hand…

• Memorizing a sacred text may be more important to others, and it may be the only form of literacy that those people practice

As a result, literacy has

changed over the years.

Martha Day• During Martha Day’s time, literacy

was only seen as reading and writing• As a result of her love for literacy,

she was able to obtain a job as a columnist.

“That I grew up on a farm helped me in some respects. It wouldn’t today.”

-Martha Day

Today

• Signs, music, graffiti, and even gambling slips are a form of literacy

• Kyle sees words on videogames as a form of literacy

ReferencesBarton, David, and Mary Hamilton. “Literacy Practices.”

Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed. Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 21-32. Print.

Brandt, Deborah. “Literacy Opportunity and Economic Change.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed. Tabetha Adkins. Southlake,

Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 54-85. Print.

Scribner, Sylvia. “Literacy in Three Metaphors.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed. Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 33-53. Print.

Szwed, John F. “The Ethnography of Literacy.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed.

Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 3-18. Print.