The language we create, in turn, creates us. A very heavy sentence; a very heavy concept. Not many think that maybe we are limited to the words we use and how we use them. There's so many gateways that can and have been opened by language--but just imagine if you couldn't tap into that Language.
Illiteracy is a boundary of understanding and knowledge. In this lies the option of "Won't" & "Can't". Some won't understand out of laziness, some won't explain and some won't try to explain. The issue with illiteracy is the lack of the basis to do what someone won't, in short, the ability to do it in the first place.
Illiteracy takes the role of can't and at times, it is a very frustrating can't. What if you couldn't explain or argue a point even though you knew you were right you couldn't explain why. What if you were interested in music but couldn't, for the life of you, understand something as simple as a music scale? What if...you couldn't tell the love of your life just how much you love them?
It is almost humbling to be able to possess the ability to use language like I do. Not being able to read and write is an almost scary thought. Reading opens up so many doors and it provides an escape from the outside world, it offers an opportunity to experience. If I wasn't able to read and write I wouldn't be as poetic as I am. Poetry is a passion for me, writing lyrics and composing music is a passion and attempting to imagine a life where I wouldn't understand poetry much less major in it is...scary.
More than just enjoyment, writing is expression. Reading & Listening to people's form of expression is amazing, whether it's through written, instrumental or oral. As a student the ability to read and write are invaluable. Trying to learn without using the core arts of reading and writing is a very difficult task.
Illiteracy is a very important thing because it hinders those who wish to learn from learning. An example that the text uses is that of an illiterate young parent, being a parent alone is a tremendous struggle. compiled with illiteracy makes it that much harder. Trying to get your children to do certain things not knowing how exactly to say what you want them to do or not being able to explain the benefits.
Another scenario is being in a relationship with someone. In relationships with friends and family and in particular intimate relationships, depend highly upon communication. Maintaining a healthy relationship and not knowing how to communicate is highly challenging if next to impossible.
Illiteracy is a hindrance but with the proper guidance can be naught but an obstacle waiting to be overcome. Like in the case of Helen Keller, who grew up blind and deaf, one can overcome the sentence that is illiteracy. The important thing is not to take it as a death sentence. Hope and faith is always essential to victory.
Hello! I'm Zar. “The language we create, in turn, create us”. I like that quote a lot. It is a very strong quote; it expresses the power of language and its ways of expressing feelings. You made good points about self-expression, I strongly agree that having a good sense of reading and writing is a great foundation for healthy relationships.
ReplyDeleteI agree that illiteracy sometimes is a factor people's attitudes towards learning. And the expression "I can't do this", is what mostly limits them. I believe that anyone can overcome illiteracy. The example you used Helen Keller, is a great one. Malcolm X is also a great motivation for people that feel hopeless in my opinion. I enjoyed reading your blog I liked your overall flow and I mostly agree with your points.
It's awesome that you're a musician too, I play the guitar casually and took a few lessons myself. The major scale was the foundation of music, if you had trouble with it, it will be harder to learn other stuff; harder to learn more difficult scales, intervals, chords construction etc. The analogy you made with the major scale is very accurate. The point that if you don't know the basics of something, any task you will face will be a difficult one. Good point there again. Great blog I can relate to a lot of your points, keep it up I enjoyed reading!