Daily Times

Aristotle used the term illiteracy minimally in two perspectives: the inability of reading and writing, and conscious use of a language. For language constructs reality, as great power lies within words to influence and guide our actions and behaviours, and literacy determines the quality of action. In most cases, Aristotle’s first perspective appears as a prerequisite to acquiring the second one. Not in some exceptions though, as there are people who know nothing about reading and writing, but quite wisely and consciously know how to speak-what, when, where-or to just stay silent.

Robert Pattinson extended this thesis further in the 1980s, arguing that literacy is not simply mastering reading and writing skills but using the language mindfully. This notion reminds me of one of my best teachers’ golden words who always used to say, “Bacho! Alfazkachunaoseekho” (My children! Learn the appropriate use of words). We being naive about the importance and consequences of words often ignored her sincere advice and guidance.

According to such a thesis, the picture of our society is truly grim. Even in the light of Aristotle’s first perspective, almost half of our population is unable to read and write. This inability further significantly differs with regard to provinces, rural vs urban divide, gender-wise, and language-wise. And if we dare to analyse our society, while employing Aristotle’s second standpoint, or Pattinson’s thesis, or my teacher’s suggestions, then the situation is further abysmal. Simply, how many of us, including the ones who can masterly read and write, consciously speak? Perhaps, we should not assume, because there are good chances that our assumptions may be more generous.

Since literacy guides human actions, and actions determine the development or destruction in a society, we can say that lack of required literacy is a major cause behind our current state

Since literacy guides human actions, and actions determine the development or destruction in a society, we can say that lack of required literacy is a major cause behind our current state. As always, our society is under the tight grip of enormous challenges and crises. Just a cursory glance at the present tells the sad tale-the rising HIV crisis, malnutrition, the under-par literacy rate.

Most, if not all, of the problems prevailing in our society are the result of poor and unequal literacy. Most graduates come with degrees, and the art of writing and reading, but without necessary literacy to use the words and expressions appropriately. The common practice of cutting the flourishing mind from the nib happens quite early.

Given that, how much time would our society require to achieve an advanced form of literacy whilst believing that literacy guarantees the growth of a society-sociocultural and ecopolitical? Although the answer is unclear, the requirement is unambiguous. Raising literacy to the next level is compulsory, because advanced literacy plays a pivotal role in making and unmaking of a society. As our folk wisdom metaphorically inculcates that words can make us either sit “under the shadow of a tree or under the burning rays of the sun.”

Progress and prosperity, therefore, are never possible without properly and equally educating society. Otherwise, no one would stop anyone from committing a crime, to give an example; the doer often perceives the crime as not a crime, and when that realisation comes, it is too late as the damage is already done. Almost a month ago, a man killed his HIV-positive wife after accusing her of having an extramarital relationship through which she acquired the virus. He was illiterate about as many as five other ways of contracting HIV. His case reflects the dark age in which inequality of literacy has blurred the vision about the purpose of life-dignity, courage and trust.

Such micro stories are symptoms of a dangerous disease: illiteracy, caused by chronic disparities. And unfortunately, every day, there are countless analogous micro stories. The constant and consistent happening of these stories has immunised and compelled us to consider them ‘normal’. Consequently, we just listen, and ignore.

If the state of illiteracy continues at the present pace, then what lies ahead is nothing but destruction that would engulf everyone, producers of illiteracy included, like a fire that surrounds the green and healthy trees in a forest along with the dead ones. It is, therefore, to everyone’s interest to not merely focus on making our society literate, but to intensify our efforts for the next level of literacy to make our actions humanely guided. This ultimately would help us to make our dreams come true, dreams where the human comes first.

The writer is a PhD Scholar at the University of Vienna, Austria