We have often heard the words literate and illiterate but I recently came across a word called 'aliterate' in an article titled 'Aliterates, wake up'. Merriam-Webster defines aliteracy as the quality or state of being able to read but uninterested in doing so. So most of us qualify to be aliterates - just reading only how much is required to get by in life.
The article goes on to explain why reading is invaluable for life. It says,
While reading, we are forced to construct, to produce narrative, to imagine. Reading gives you a unique pause button for comprehension and insight. By and large, with oral language — when you watch a film or listen to a tape — you don't press pause. Hence, the mind receives a far more vigorous workout whilst reading than consuming any other form of media. It is not surprising that avid readers tend to possess better memories and minds more equipped to resist the exigencies of ageing than those who do not read. Their capacity for learning also tends to be far more advanced. In addition, since reading requires more concentration than other media, an avid reader's mind tends to be more focused which allows him or her to make good decisions.
Furthermore, reading is inextricably linked to writing. It is impossible to write well without reading voraciously.Most white-collar jobs require good communication skills, both spoken and written. Corporate executives of every stripe have to write reports, memos, and proposals. So unless there is a new invention that wipes out the need for the written word in all these forms of communication, the only way to do them well is to read well. Reading develops the vocabulary and expands the imagination. It also educates with regard to grammar and sentence structure, and allows the writer to make his or her writing more readable by embellishing it with examples, parables, and metaphors.
This article enlightened me on the known but unrealized facts about reading. Hopefully atleast now I start reading more (and also writing more). :)
