i never learned how to write.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Literacy is traditionally meant as the ability to read and write . The modern term's meaning has been expanded to include the ability to use language, numbers, images, computers, and other basic means to understand, communicate, gain useful knowledge, solve mathematical problems and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture. The concept of literacy is expanding in OECD countries to include skills to access knowledge through technology and ability to assess complex contexts. A person who travels and resides in a foreign country but is unable to read or write in the language of the host country would also be regarded by the locals as being illiterate. The key to literacy is reading development, a progression of skills that begins with the ability to understand spoken words and decode written words, and culminates in the deep understanding of text. Reading development involves a range of complex language underpinnings including awareness of speech sounds (phonology), spelling patterns (orthography), word meaning (semantics), grammar (syntax) and patterns of word formation (morphology), all of which provide a necessary platform for reading fluency and comprehension. Once these skills are acquired, the reader can attain full language literacy, which includes the abilities to apply to printed material critical analysis, inference and synthesis; to write with accuracy and coherence; and to use information and insights from text as the basis for informed decisions and creative thought.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I really feel for people who have never learned to read and write. Over the year's I've derived enormous pleasure from books!"}, {"role": "user", "content": "I agree!  I love reading and couldn't imagine not being able to.  Most people can read though, right?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "It's surprising  how many adults are barely literate. Mind you, the modern meaning of being literate now includes such things as the ability to use numbers, computers and other basic skills to communicate."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That's interesting.  I did not know that number were included.  Is there an estimate of literacy in the US?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "As usual, there's no one definition! The numbers seem to depend on which particular definition of literacy is used."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That makes sense.  I would imagine it is more of an issue with 3rd world countries than the US anyways."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "It's getting better in OECD countries. The concept of literacy there now includes access to knowledge through technology."}, {"role": "user", "content": "What does OECD stand for?  I have never heard of that."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "he Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It's a collection of 35 governments and the organization was founded to stimulate economic growth and trade. It also takes account of literacy."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That is quite positive.  I didn't even know that existed.  Hopefully it is making a big impact!"}]