I think that there is a key difference between understanding and mastery. Berry states that he finds it absurd that “that if a student is not going to become a teacher of his language, he has no need to master it”. I cannot see what problem he has with this concept. Should we all master mathematics and sciences and economics as well because they play such important roles in our lives? No, I don’t think so. I think that a core understanding of each is all that is necessary unless one chooses to work towards mastery (to, say, become a professor of that study).

Berry complains about the “published illiteracies of the certified educated”. What an epidemic. I can’t help but feel more concern over entirely illiterate and impoverished peoples not only of the United States but across the globe, but I suppose occasional spelling mistakes among the highly educated is an important problem most certainly worth debating over.

 

I think that there is a core of literacy skills that every english-speaking person should aspire to, and that’s that. Mastery is optional, reserved for those who wish to pursue it, whether they be writers, professors, journalists, or they just choose to.