Ways to Read : Advance Ability

Ways to Read

Dear Ruth,
I am a student and asked this question of a professor, who suggested that I forward it to you: Is there more than one way to read? I do not mean learning how to read, but the actual process of reading, from visual recognition of graphemes to the end.

A.M.

Dear A.M.,

What a good question. The answer is YES! The exact way each of us reads probably varies according to what elements we find easiest and what kind of material we are reading.

A deaf person might change the written word into mental sign language, while a hearing person might 'hear' the words mentally. Some individuals rely more on their eyes and visual memory than others; some tend to predict first and check later; some have specialized vocabularies or particular world knowledge. Consider how many elements are involved in reading, and realize that each individual probably puts a unique spin on this complex mix.

Best Wishes,
Ruth Alice Jurey, M.S.
Speech/Language Pathologist