Aliterate

The term 'aliterate' describes someone who possesses the ability to read and write but chooses not to, often due to lack of interest, perceived lack of benefit, or the preference for other forms of entertainment or information consumption. It highlights the distinction between literacy (the skill) and a habitual engagement with reading and writing. Aliteracy implies a conscious decision to forgo the practice of reading and writing despite being capable of doing so, often involving a variety of lifestyle choices. This phenomenon can be related to varying educational levels, cultural influences, or a perceived value difference between reading and other pursuits. The aliterate individual is not necessarily uneducated, they are merely choosing to abstain from reading.

Aliterate meaning with examples

• Despite being a highly educated professional, Sarah admitted to being aliterate. She found the news cycle, podcasts, and audiobooks to be faster, more engaging methods of staying informed. Reading felt slow and time-consuming to her, despite her undeniable literacy. Her lifestyle simply favored the convenience and readily accessible nature of digital content over the deliberate act of reading books or articles for information or entertainment.
• Many young adults, proficient in reading due to mandatory education, have become increasingly aliterate. The constant stream of visual media and social interactions seems to offer more appealing alternatives to traditional reading habits. This phenomenon fuels concerns about declining reading comprehension skills and an increasing reliance on quick sound bites and images to consume information at the expense of text.
• The shift from physical books to digital content does not necessarily address aliteracy; audiobooks and eBooks still require a base level of literacy, but the convenience offered by digital platforms has arguably helped bring some 'former readers' back to the page. Some individuals are still aliterate, despite the convenience, as they find other methods of getting content preferable, such as streaming services and podcasts.
• The public library initiated a campaign to combat aliteracy by offering author talks, book clubs, and reading challenges. They targeted this group, who are able to read but choose not to, by making reading fun and social. Many libraries try to show that reading isn't all solitary study and can be a community gathering as well, hoping to change the minds of those who don't like to read.
• John, a skilled coder, confessed to being aliterate. He preferred solving complex coding problems to reading novels. He stated that coding required active engagement of the brain which helped him solve problems which he could not get from reading, claiming that for him coding and problem-solving were his preferred forms of both mental stimulation and entertainment. He saw reading as passive and boring in comparison.