Among the many topics and discussions that have taken place within our classroom this semester, the one that managed to pertain to my own interests the most, was regarding the distinct connection made between the affiliation of literacy and language. The official definition of the term “literacy” is the ability to read and write, but when there are numerous languages being spoken throughout the world and an array of grammar variations to choose from, this definition becomes more of a grey area, its meaning no longer quite so black and white. When this concept was first being introduced to us in class, I, along with my fellow classmates, were asked to rattle off as much as would come to mind when mulling over the term “literacy”. What thoughts first come up to your mind when asked about literacy? In our case, just about all of us agreed that it made us think of matters such as proper english, correct grammar, being able to read and write, as well as correct pronunciation of vocabulary and etcetera. After discussing initial concepts, we were then given articles and excerpts to read that took the base knowledge of literacy that we already had, and allowed us to further expand upon it, depending on how we interacted with the reading. How to Tame a Wild Tongue, I felt, conveyed the strongest argument about what it meant to be literate and most expanded my understanding of the concept. Within this excerpt, the author stands up for her right to be considered a literate despite her foreign roots. When you see, or speak to a foreigner and they have a thick accent, or pronounce words incorrectly, what are the first thoughts that come to your mind? Probably something along the lines of that whoever this person is must not be well educated, or perhaps that they aren't americanized enough to be like the rest of us. Well this article makes the argument that just because where you are residing may speak a language that isn't your first, it does not go hand in hand with how learned you are. Think about your own status here in America, you've probably lived her for at least a majority of your life, been schooled the same as most everybody around you, and have been considered literate for at least a few years now, correct? Now imagine taking a trip to somewhere completely new and foreign to you, where everybody but you is speaking the same language, and wearing the same clothing, you are the anomaly. Do you feel any less literate? Have you forgotten all of the knowledge that’s been taught to you and acquired after all these years? Probably not. Given this knowledge, do you think the definition of “literacy” is an accurate representation of what its supposed to stand for? If not, how would you personally define it, according to your own interpretation of the term? In my own opinion, Literacy should be defined as the ability to interpret, comprehend, and communicate with those around you. It shouldn't be limited to whether you speak someone else's language or not, it should be about wether you are capable of communicating with others, having a multitude of different languages you can speak should increase how literate you are viewed as, not count against it. Now that deeper aspects of the meaning literacy have been brought to your attention, why do you imagine we were taught to understand it so vaguely and improperly to begin with? I believe authority is the culprit, and in order to invoke a change, the authorities must also be on board with it. In the excerpt from John’s Discourse Communities, there is a comment made regarding this theory; “in each epoch, in each social circle, in each small world of family, friends, acquaintances and comrades in which a human being

grows and lives, there are always authoritative utterances that set the tone.". I think this says it perfectly, if the rest of the world wants to right the wrong that is illegitimate representation of the term literacy, then those in power and with authority must be the first ones to be persuaded, because they are who set things in motion for the rest of us.