How is it like to not know how to reed and right? I’ve never really thought about it until now. If I were illiterate, it is like being in China or Japan. The Chinese characters would be like unknown symbols, just scribbles written everywhere; except the characters written above as the title. Those i know from taking a Chinese101 course last semester which reads, ni hao ma? (how are you?) and nin gui xing? (what is your surname? polite. Used when meeting someone for the first time).
If I were illiterate, I bet everyday would be stressful and it would be frustrating hiding a secret that I hope no one will ever find out. Sadly my life would also be very limited. Applying for a job would probably be a no-no, simply because I cannot fill out an application. I wouldn’t be able to get a good career since higher education is required. If I do make certain amount of money, how would I pay bills if I can’t even write a check? How would I even apply for a bank account?
If I’m hungry, I shop for food. Should I just grab whatever that has a pretty label on it and the ones I just saw on the television? How would I know if the product is bad for my health if I cannot read what it says on the label? Some food such as pickled radishes has warning labels on them saying that it contains an ingredient that causes cancer. My health would be at risk.
If I don’t feel good I should go to the doctor but I do not want to. I’m afraid to fill more applications that I cannot fill out. When visiting the doctor’s office, they would give out so much flyers or brochures to give you an idea of how to make yourself healthier or avoid certain things that are life threatening. But I wouldn’t be able to read those. If I do get a prescription, it is important to not forget the doctor’s instruction of how many times I have to take a day. But if I forget, I might not take the right dosage to get any better, or worse get an overdose. What if a doctor asks me to sign something that I don’t even know about? I decided to sign it anyways thinking that it was a good idea to hide my illiteracy. Turns out the paper I signed were for a surgery that I don’t even need.
Traveling would be a butt too. I would be limited to a certain radius of location that I’m familiar with because I cannot read signs. If I wish to go further I would be completely lost. Well, we all can get lost, but it would be harder for me to make my way around. What if there are signs that says “right turn only” or “road block,” am I going to risk myself into car accidents?
If I were an illiterate parent, I would be heartbroken. If my child asks me to read a book for them, what am I going to say, “Sorry honey can’t read?” Of course I would not want to do that. I would want my child to have a higher education and achieve a good career. If my child finds out that I were illiterate, I don’t want him/her to think that education is not important and that it is okay for them to not consider it or not make it their priority. Of course I do not want me child to be in risk of becoming illiterate as well.
My intention of writing it this way is not to mock, but to simply question and get an idea of how it would feel like to be illiterate. A life of an illiterate person is very difficult, challenging, and they hide the secret for everyone to prevent embarrassment. Most people would call an illiterate person dumb, but most illiterates are quiet smart to find a way around the difficulties and at the same time hide their disability. Some are even leaders such as Malcolm X. He was able to influence the black community to follow his movement and whatever he felt strong about. When he wrote he struggled. He wasn’t able to write and express exactly how he feels or share his idea through paper. However, illiteracy did not stop him from speaking out other than a form of speech. He copied a freakin’ dictionary to increase his knowledge, just so he can write appropriate letters to governors and mayors.
Now, I would like to compare myself similarly to an illiterate person. I like to play the piano. When I play a song, it feels so nice. It’s like music comes out of my finger tips. I feel connected to the piece as I my body moves along with the song. But I consider myself “music note illiterate.” I am able to read a few notes (like elementary level), but I can’t read music the way I read a book. I want to be able to play a piece like how I can grab a random book and start reading instantly. When I do want to play a sheet badly, I always write the letter of each note before I play. As I write the letters, I say the acronyms over and over again, “Every good boy does fine. Face. All cows eat grass. Good boys does fine always,” throughout the whole sheet. It takes time and a lot of practice, but in the end it is all worth it. I wouldn’t want to miss the experience of connecting with a piece of music.
My struggle to reading music sheets is the same as those who are having trouble reading or writing a sentence or a word. It just takes a lot practice and motivation to get to the level that you want to be at.
Good analogy! Comparing the difficulties of reading sheet music and reading literature is a great perspective ! I'm not very good at reading sheet music either, so that's probably one way to really relate to illiteracy. For example, not being able to read music sheets will limit your musicianship skills. How do you expect to play music? read scales? play with other musicians?
ReplyDeleteThis is just like not being able to read and write. You can't communicate, read basic sentences and express yourself.
I didn't really think about that the fact of being illiterate can affect your health too. You made a very good point here. The inability to read prescriptions, follow instructions, and filling out applications can be overwhelming if you cannot read and write. The list for the things you cannot do if you are illiterate seem endless and the stuff you can do is limited.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I like your comic you posted too, it's a good way to lighten the mood on a very serious topic.
Another great example you made was being stuck in China. I personally, took Chinese 101 too last semester and I can honestly say it was difficult, I could only imagine how hard it is not to KNOW anything about reading and writing. Great perspectives and comparisons. I enjoyed reading!