Almost all of us read something or the other. However, if you ask someone to define reading, they will be stumped. One person may define reading as ‘understanding what the writer intended.’ Another person would say ‘reading is talking in the written word.’ A pundit might say ‘reading is the assimilation of printed information.’ All these definitions cover only one aspect of the reading process. We should aim at an accurate definition which would include the full range of reading skills.
Reading involves the recognition of alphabetical symbols we learn in our primary classes. This is perhaps the first step in reading because if you are not familiar with the alphabetical symbols, you cannot read anything meaningfully. On the other hand, when you read something you should be able to absorb ideas and information. Technically we call this process ‘assimilation.’ In order to do this effectively, you should be aware of the physical process by which light is reflected from the word and received by the eyes and transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain.
Information
In the classroom we do comprehension passages in order to understand the linking of all parts of the information with other parts. This leads to extra-integration in which we bring all our previous knowledge to what we read. By doing so, we make appropriate connections while selecting or rejecting them. Some people are unable to retain the information they read. Sometimes they find it difficult to recall information to answer a question in an examination.
The purpose of reading is communication. We use the knowledge we gather from reading to deliver a lecture or write an essay. Reading also improves our way of thinking. In the light of such a definition we can identify certain reading and learning problems. A 50-year-old man confessed that he has virtually given up reading because of his vision problem. Vision means the power of seeing. A reader should have a normal vision. If his vision is blurred, he has to consult an ophthalmologist or an optician. Secondly, you should have an improved speed of reading in order to understand what you read. According to modern research, slow reading does not help you to understand what you read. Therefore, a good reader will have to learn speed reading skills.
Fatigue is another problem that prevents you from reading effectively. Fatigue is the condition of being very tired. If you are fatigued, reading will not provide any benefit. Some children and adults feel lazy to read anything. They will ask others what a book or newspaper contains. There are also people who do not have the patience to read anything worthwhile. There is nothing we can do about them.
For any serious reading session you should allocate a suitable time. While travelling you can read a newspaper or a magazine, but reading a textbook is a challenging task. You should also be aware of the surroundings before you read anything serious. In a noisy classroom you cannot read a book and comprehend its contents. Another purpose of reading is to remember what you read. Most readers adopt various methods to do so. Some of them underline or highlight important sentences or paragraphs while others make short notes.
Mental longevity
Your memory has no limits whatever your age happens to be. Older people, however, will take more time to remember facts. This brings us to mental longevity of some well-known personalities. Michelangelo’s greatest works date from his 60s and he was still creating masterly work when he died at the age of 89. The celebrated author Goethe completed his masterpiece ‘Faust’ at the age of 82, just nine months before his death. Even today there are people who turn out creative products when they are in their old age.
Some people complain that they forget what they read. This is mainly due to lack of use. Your brain has to be exercised like any other limb. The simplest of memories are stored in networks of neurons in many different parts of the brain. Memory storage usually takes place when you are asleep. That is why a good night’s sleep is so vital for learning. If you think your memory is poor, repeat what you want to remember because repetition works wonders. As you age if you expect your memory to fade or decline, your wishes will come true!
There had been people with wonderful memories in the past. Themistocles who lived in Greece knew the names of 20,000 citizens of Athens. The 17th century Italian scholar Antonio Magliabechi could remember every word in 40,000 volumes in a library. Although there are people with amazing memories even today, some people do not know what to do with their poor memories.
Sub-vocalisation
Apart from poor memory, some people have reading problems. One such problem is sub-vocalisation or the tendency to mouth the words they read. It is caused by the way in which they had been taught to read in their childhood. However, sub- vocalisation has its own benefits. For instance, sub-vocalisation can be pushed back into a semi-conscious state so that you do not have to depend on it.
Another reading problem is finger pointing. This process slows down your reading speed. Although it is an excellent method to maintain concentration, the finger can block the view retarding the reading speed. On the other hand, some readers constantly go back to what they had already read. Their purpose is to understand the passage better. However, even this process will slow down your reading speed.
There are some people who have a difficulty in decoding letters of the alphabet. This is a learning disability known as dyslexia. Then there are others who cannot remain seated for a long time. Sometimes they are distracted by external stimuli. Such disorders prevent the reading process.
In defining reading all the factors mentioned above have to be taken into consideration.
