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> The proper term for those whom the author describes is subliterate. Indeed, literacy is is the ability to read, and reading is interpretation. Interpretation
by lo_zamoyski 6mo ago
> The proper term for those whom the author describes is subliterate.
Indeed, literacy is is the ability to read, and reading is interpretation. Interpretation requires context - of the domain, the culture, and the text - and resolving possible competing interpretations using a combination of charity and probability. Even the concept of "literal meaning" is problematic, because words don't mean anything by themselves; they requires disambiguation and contextual resolution of meaning. So really all you can have are more or less competent readings.
Pedantry is, therefore, arguably subliterate.
- throwanem 6mo agoYou have wholeheartedly defended literacy in this one specific example, on the basis that literacy in general is actually impossible. Now I really have seen everything.
- lo_zamoyski 6mo agoHow on earth did you come to that conclusion?!