Language vs Literacy
Understanding the significance of language in human communication is vital, as well as recognizing the importance of literacy in today’s world. However, merely knowing a language does not make an individual literate. Although proficiency in a language is often equated with literacy, language skills differ from literacy skills. Understanding these differences is crucial.
Language
Language is a social tool enabling humans to interact and cooperate. Without language, expressing feelings and emotions to others is impossible. When discussing a specific language, the focus is usually on the spoken aspect. For example, if someone claims to know English, it is generally assumed that they can speak and understand the language well. Language is acquired through social interaction, with a child learning to speak words in a language by hearing them from parents and family members. By the time a child begins school, they can typically speak fluently in their mother tongue. Language teaches oral communication with others.
Literacy
A language encompasses not only spoken elements but also reading and writing. This is where the concept of literacy comes into play. Literacy includes both spoken and written language, as well as the ability to comprehend it. A person who can speak a language but cannot read or write in that language is considered illiterate. Only after achieving literacy can a child hope to learn other subjects, such as science and math.
Key Takeaways
- Knowing a language and being able to fluently speak it does not equate to literacy; a person must also be able to read and write in that language.
- Literacy is about understanding the symbols or alphabets of a language, which enables communication through recorded or electronic means, such as computers.
- Language literacy is a component of language, but most people think of spoken language when asked if they know a language or not.
