nonliterate
nonliterate Lexical Profile
nonliterate Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to a culture, society, or people that relies on oral tradition rather than a written language.
"Anthropologists studied how the nonliterate tribe preserved its complex genealogy through epic songs."
Not able to read or write.
"The public health campaign used illustrated posters to reach nonliterate adults in rural areas."
• noun
A person who does not read or write, especially a member of a society that lacks a written language.
"Visual symbols on the ballot made voting accessible to nonliterates across the region."
Word Nuance & Usage
In anthropology and linguistics, 'nonliterate' is preferred over 'illiterate' when describing cultures or societies that have never developed or used a writing system, as 'illiterate' implies a failure to learn to read and write within a society where literacy is the norm.