Illiterately: meaning, definitions and examples
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illiterately
[ɪˈlɪtəreɪtli ]
Definition
lack of literacy
The term 'illiterately' refers to the inability to read or write effectively. It describes a condition where individuals are not capable of understanding written language due to a lack of education or exposure. This term highlights significant barriers to communication and access to information. In many societies, illiteracy can lead to social and economic disadvantages, preventing individuals from fully participating in their communities.
Synonyms
incomprehensibly, unclearly, unreadably.
Examples of usage
- She spoke illiterately, struggling to form complete sentences.
- Many children in rural areas grow up illiterately without access to schools.
- His illiterately written letter was difficult to comprehend.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The prefix 'ill-' means not, while 'literacy' comes from the Latin word 'litera', meaning letter.
- The term began gaining traction in the 19th century as education became more accessible, contrasting the literate and illiterate populations.
Education
- Worldwide, about 773 million adults lack basic literacy skills, a challenge that affects their job prospects and quality of life.
- Functional illiteracy, where individuals can read but struggle with everyday texts, is a significant barrier to further education and employment.
Social Impacts
- Low literacy rates are linked to increased poverty levels and difficulty accessing healthcare.
- Communities with higher literacy rates tend to participate more actively in civic and political processes.
Psychology
- Illiteracy can lead to feelings of shame and low self-esteem, making it harder for individuals to seek help or improve.
- The cognitive load faced by illiterate individuals is often higher when they interact in environments filled with text, affecting their overall quality of life.
Pop Culture
- Movies and books often portray characters who struggle with illiteracy, highlighting the stigma and challenges they face.
- In the digital age, information is often presented in text, which can alienate those with reading difficulties, making them feel excluded from modern society.
Translations
Translations of the word "illiterately" in other languages:
🇵🇹 analfabetamente
🇮🇳 अक्षरहीनता से
🇩🇪 illiterat
🇮🇩 secara buta huruf
🇺🇦 неграмотно
🇵🇱 analfabetyzm
🇯🇵 文盲で
🇫🇷 illettrement
🇪🇸 analfabetamente
🇹🇷 okuma yazma bilmeden
🇰🇷 문맹으로
🇸🇦 أميًا
🇨🇿 negramotně
🇸🇰 negramotne
🇨🇳 文盲地
🇸🇮 nepismen
🇮🇸 ólesanlega
🇰🇿 жазу білмей
🇬🇪 უწერელი
🇦🇿 savadsızca
🇲🇽 analfabetamente
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,432, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.