Poll: About 13% of the world’s population is still illiterate. In your view, what’s the main reason? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "About 13% of the world’s population is still illiterate. In your view, what’s the main reason?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Lieven Malaise 
Белгија
Local time: 10:58
Член (2020)
француски на холандски
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This is a matter of researched facts. If some people in certain regions are illiterate, then the reasons are perfectly known. I don't think my "view" matters here.
| | | | Baran Keki
Турција
Local time: 11:58
Член
англиски на турски
Isn't that the trendy thing nowadays?
| | | | | Illiteracy in Portugal | Jun 5, 2025 |
I can only speak for my country. Before the Carnation Revolution in 1974 illiteracy rates in Portugal could be as high as 40% in certain rural areas. 51 years later, things have changed a lot, mostly with the EU financial aid. Nowadays, Portugal still has 3,08% illiterate people, of which 2,10% are men and 3,96% are women. On the other hand, today there are those who say that we have too many young people with higher education and a consequent brain drain, especially in certain areas...
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Mario Chávez
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 04:58
англиски на шпански
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| Let's define illiteracy | Jun 5, 2025 |
I'm no educator or teacher, but I've seen that illiteracy is not just one kind but several. Some people can read and write but to a certain level, say, 3rd year of elementary school. Literacy has become specialized in some countries, to the point that literacy to read and write for the job at hand is the only one that matters.
There are several main reasons, and as Lieven indicated, our opinions don't matter. That's another consequence of poorly built educational systems: reductive ... See more I'm no educator or teacher, but I've seen that illiteracy is not just one kind but several. Some people can read and write but to a certain level, say, 3rd year of elementary school. Literacy has become specialized in some countries, to the point that literacy to read and write for the job at hand is the only one that matters.
There are several main reasons, and as Lieven indicated, our opinions don't matter. That's another consequence of poorly built educational systems: reductive thinking: What color describes your personality? What's the most important reason there are homeless people in New York City streets? And so on. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Oh, man! Where to start. | Jun 5, 2025 |
There are many factors, internal and external ones. I would say that we will always encounter this kind of social problem because all the factors are impossible to control. I only know that we can always support in any or another way. The most important thing is not only studying the reasons, but also being empathetic with others situations and supportive.
| | | | Raquel Lira
Бразил
Local time: 05:58
англиски на португалски
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| Lack of access AND quality in education | Jun 5, 2025 |
I am not sure about the reasons for the illiteracy problem worldwide, because I think that different countries sometimes deal with different social and economical scenarios, but, as a brazilian, I can tell you my vision about it in my country, and it is hopeless: Brazil has not only a problem of lack of access, but also of quality in education. Because of it, it is common knowing about people who finish their studies without learning nothing due to many reasons, and I am not saying with it that ... See more I am not sure about the reasons for the illiteracy problem worldwide, because I think that different countries sometimes deal with different social and economical scenarios, but, as a brazilian, I can tell you my vision about it in my country, and it is hopeless: Brazil has not only a problem of lack of access, but also of quality in education. Because of it, it is common knowing about people who finish their studies without learning nothing due to many reasons, and I am not saying with it that the teachers are not passionate and well-intentioned enough, or that some students are not sincerely interested, but that there is a failed educational system being maintained which is hindering the population. Also, the lack of interest of many in books and in an intelectual way make things even worser. Although I am talking about my country in particular, I think that, unfortunately, someone can agree with my words and recognize them in another countries histories. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Gerard Barry
Германија
Local time: 10:58
германски на англиски
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida wrote:
I can only speak for my country. Before the Carnation Revolution in 1974 illiteracy rates in Portugal could be as high as 40% in certain rural areas. 51 years later, things have changed a lot, mostly with the EU financial aid. Nowadays, Portugal still has 3,08% illiterate people, of which 2,10% are men and 3,96% are women. On the other hand, today there are those who say that we have too many young people with higher education and a consequent brain drain, especially in certain areas...
I find it fascinating that illiteracy is still at this level (3.08%) in Portugal. Is it mostly older people? Or perhaps immigrants from less developed countries?
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| Prosperity and access to technology | Jun 13, 2025 |
I recently watched a video about American kids who can't read, and some of them may even throw a tantrum when you're trying to make them read. They have their TikToks to watch and ChatGPT to do their homework for them (the latter has not been around for long enough for a trend to form, but it is definitely forming). Another aspect of it is an apathy that manifests itself in various ways. Poor Yemeni kids learn with their eyes on fire, they crave new knowledge, while Gen Z in prosperous countries... See more I recently watched a video about American kids who can't read, and some of them may even throw a tantrum when you're trying to make them read. They have their TikToks to watch and ChatGPT to do their homework for them (the latter has not been around for long enough for a trend to form, but it is definitely forming). Another aspect of it is an apathy that manifests itself in various ways. Poor Yemeni kids learn with their eyes on fire, they crave new knowledge, while Gen Z in prosperous countries are burnt out by the time they are supposed to begin earning a living. They don't see any point in working, especially now that some countries make it unnecessary with all the benefits to which the unemployed are entitled. So there: apathy. I've been noticing around me quite a few young people who look very similar to each other. Imagine a girl who, while being quite short, wears a huge coat, a huge hat with bunny or cat ears, her hair is died to some sickly color, which may also extend to get entire face, and you get the impression that she's trying to look as sad, depressed, and pitiful as possible. I once mentioned a trainee who, when asked to translate something, first asked me to show how she could use MT on the work computer. I even suspect she didn't know how to translate a text without the help of MT. To make things clear: I'm sure Gen Z can read, the "can't read" thing was actually about Gen Alpha kids living specifically in the U. S. (my niblings both belong to this generation and both can read well; they have great parents). Not sure if things are going to get worse or society will recover. Easy times are over, and times of change inject new blood in people. Many believe that the Renaissance was a time of prosperity, which is simply not true: in fact, it was preceded by prosperous times ▲ Collapse
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