The Importance of Literacy Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Literacy EssayTry and imagine our company without a viridity language. This could be quite a hard idea to fathom. Al broken me to assist you. If this hypothetical idea were in fact true, a typical conversation between cardinal individuals would be as follows one of the two would begin the conversation by making noises representing their language, the other person would not understand these noises and respond with unidentifiable noises to the first individual. As you elicit well imagine, this would get quite frustrating. Rita Mae Brown describes literacy as, a social contract, an hold upon representation of certain symbols (420). If the symbols (letters) meanings ar not agreed upon by those attempting to communicate, then interpreting one other becomes difficult. Simply stated, literacy is very important. Society has proven time and time again, it will reward those individuals who be fitting and impede those who are not, whether expressed in terms of e mployment opportunities (job success) or scarce on a social level.One need look no further than their everyday activities in order to go out how important literary skills are. Without adequate literary skills one may not be able to get a line on a label the correct amount of medicine to give a child, or take on and interpret a sign giving instructions on what to do in case of a fire. These two examples bring perspective to literacys importance. Nevertheless, recent surveys have indicated that, 4. 5 million Canadians, representing 24 percent of the eighteen-and-over group, can be visualiseed illiterate (Adult Illiteracy 5).Illiteracy is truly a problem within Canada. Although legion(predicate) groups are working to render the problem of illiteracy, much work still lies ahead. As our partnership moves on into the nigh century literacy is proving vital to economic performance. Without basic literary skills in ones possession they will become anomic in our rapidly ever-changing society. The modern worker must be able to adapt to the changing job-scene. This often means gathering new skills and knowledge from printed material, whether instruction manuals, computer programs, or classroom facts of life (text books).It is quite commonly the case that in high spiritsly skilled jobs desire a high level of literacy. Therefore, literary skill level is an important factor in predicting an individuals economic success. It will affect an individuals income, their employment stableness and whether they even receive employment opportunities. Presently, our mankind revolves around literacy. Simply being literate allows one to of all time upgrade ones literary skills to a higher level. It allows one to stay informed of happenings in and around the world through mediums such as newspapers and magazines.Knowing current news about what is going on in this ever changing world of ours is the key to staying ahead. Another thought to ponder is this, we rely on those with high literacy levels to record and document findings and happenings for future generations to reflect on. These writings would virtually likely be dull and wrong or would not exist at all without our current levels of literacy. When encountered from a social standpoint, literacy remains just as important as when viewed from the economic standpoint.Linda Macleod of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice, points out that, 65 percent of wad entering Canadian prisons for the first time have trouble denotation and writing, low literacy is part of a constellation of problems that can limit choices in life and thus lead people to criminal activity (20). Somebody in possession of a high level of literacy will most likely be well informed and tend to make wiser decisions. By obtaining this level of literacy they have alike gathered a large vocabulary giving them many words to choose from to express their ideas and feelings.Conversely, many would agree that a conversation with one who has a good grasp of the English language is always more delightful than with one who is less educated. Literacy can act as a window, opening ones view to the world. Presently, we are being bombarded with information, news, trivia and gossip (not that this is always a positive feature in our lives). Without fit literary skills one cannot even absorb any of this information. These people will miss out on many of lifes benefits, socially as well as economically. Without sufficient literary skills one would have a tremendously difficult time functioning in our current world.Think about your average day, consider how many times you refer to your literary skills to aid you, could you function without those skills? Finding an address, reading a map, reading a menu, performing a bank transaction, these are just a few common tasks that require your literary skills. Also, when looking at the importance of literacy to our nation, its value is evident. High levels of literacy thro ughout all sectors of Canadas workforce are necessary, low literacy levels of workers affect Canadas ability to perform in the increasingly competitive international marketplace (Literacy 7).literary skills become building blocks. First creating a well- educated society, then a highly skilled dig up force which can compete and adapt to the changing market. These factors lead to an increase in economic branch within the nation which in turn, results in a higher standard of living for its people. As our society moves forward into the future, a higher level of literacy will become more important to ones level of success. Where would our society be without our ability to exchange knowledge and information?How many times have you made a purchase that read on the outside instructions inside? You and I think nothing of this, and in a sense take our gift for granted. For many, deciphering written instructions is a near impossible task, ask for assistance does little more than to further lower their self esteem. Literacy is important. To truly seize the benefits possible in ones life it has to be accepted that literacy is the key. Society will continue to reward skilled individuals and disadvantage those who are not.