What Is Literacy?

What Is Literacy?

James Paul Gee

James Paul Gee explains that the two ways in which individuals get a discourse necessary for society is by either acquisition (acquiring something subconsciously by exposure to models and a process of trial and error) or through learning (involves conscious knowledge gained through teaching). However, when beginning your task of gaining discourse, both acquisition and learning become intertwined together. Through each of these methods listened above "acquirers usually beat learners at performance, while learners usually beat acquirers at talking about it" (page 540, What Is Literacy, Gee).

That acquirers when using a particular discourse have the abilities for manipulating an "identity kit" better. It's as if your putting on a play for society to see. You know that your just trying to act the part, but feel that is necessary to gain acceptance of a dominant discourse. Learners, are better able to articulate the words they are using. They can mold their words to due what you want them to say. You have the critical consciousness to begin breaking down your word structure, so everybody can understand.

One of the key factors individuals use to shape their discourse around is not only through primary discourse (i.e. parents, relatives, friends) but through "secondary institutions" (i.e. schools, workplaces, boardrooms, stores, etc.) Individuals begin to change their primary discourse because each of the "secondary institutions" requires a different discourse for each of these situations. Even though you have the tools it's through interaction with others that you hone your skills, seeing how you stack up against other individuals in society.