Change of Literacy

Like others in the class, I associated literacy with the ability to read and write. I thought I was more literate than most, because I am always reading and writing. However, after reading the articles for this class, a lot of these beliefs have changed. Eubanks & Schaeffer and Bartholomae were the first authors to really change my mind on what literacy really was. I didn’t know that it could be the way you act or how you fit into a social group. But now, I can see how literacy works. It is about becoming one with a group or thought process. An example I see in my life is my spanish speaking skills. As far as language and grammar goes, I am nearly fluent in spanish. My father’s parents are Mexican immigrants, so my father and his family have a mexican background. When I am around them, I do not feel literate in spanish. I may be able to speak the language correctly, but I do not know the slang or actions of the spanish culture. I never really knew why I didn’t quite fit in, but now I know it is because I do not have all the same values and beliefs to be literate in spanish. I think this also relates to Gee’s discussion of primary vs secondary Discourses.

Also, my academic work has noticed a difference in literacy due to the idea of bullshit. I see a lot of bullshit in my work that I wish wasn’t there. When I feel myself trying to sound more intelligent in an academic subject than I really know I worry I am bullshitting my work. It has made me take a lot more time to research the subject material, because I know it won’t benefit me to get by in school, only to go out in the world and have no idea what I am talking about.

Overall, I feel that Gee has influenced my idea of literacy the most, with his discussion of discourses. The other articles have taught me how literacy affects most aspects in my life. I believe literacy is more than just a definition of knowing how to read and write, but more of an “identity kit” (borrowing words from Gee).