Preliterate: meaning, definitions and examples
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preliterate
[ priˈlɪtərət ]
lack of writing
The term 'preliterate' refers to societies or individuals that have not yet developed writing systems. This state often characterizes cultures that rely heavily on oral traditions for communication and storytelling. Preliterate societies utilize spoken language to convey history, beliefs, and knowledge. They may have complex social structures and rich cultural expressions despite the absence of written records. The transition from preliterate to literate societies marks a significant development in human communication and information preservation.
Synonyms
illiterate, non-literate, oral
Examples of usage
- Preliterate cultures rely on oral storytelling.
- The museum exhibits artifacts from a preliterate society.
- Anthropologists study preliterate tribes to understand human history.
Translations
Translations of the word "preliterate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pré-literate
🇮🇳 पूर्व-साक्षर
🇩🇪 präskriptiv
🇮🇩 pra-literate
🇺🇦 прескриптивний
🇵🇱 preliterate
🇯🇵 前文字の (ぜんもじの)
🇫🇷 prélittéraire
🇪🇸 prelítico
🇹🇷 önceki okuma yazma
🇰🇷 문해 이전의 (munhae ijeon-ui)
🇸🇦 ما قبل القراءة (ma qabl al-qira'a)
🇨🇿 předčtenářský
🇸🇰 predpísaný
🇨🇳 前文字的 (qián wénzì de)
🇸🇮 predpisan
🇮🇸 fyrirskrár
🇰🇿 алфавиттік алдындағы
🇬🇪 წინასწარი წერილობა (ts'inaats'ari ts'eriloba)
🇦🇿 yazıdan əvvəl
🇲🇽 prelítico
Etymology
The word 'preliterate' is derived from the prefix 'pre-', meaning 'before', and the term 'literate', which comes from Latin 'litteratus', meaning 'educated, cultured, or acquainted with letters'. The concept of literacy has evolved over time, with early forms of writing emerging in various civilizations around the world. The use of the term 'preliterate' emphasizes the importance of writing in the development of complex societies and the preservation of knowledge. Historically, preliterate societies were often characterized by their reliance on oral traditions, and the transition to literate cultures allowed for greater advancements in communication, administration, and culture. The study of preliterate societies offers valuable insights into the early stages of human civilization and the foundational role of language in shaping human experience.