Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'illiteracy'

English Word: illiteracy

Key Russian Translations:

• неграмотность [nʲɪɡrəˈmotnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; Used in educational, social, and statistical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about education, policy, and global development, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal forms in Russian, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неграмотность: [nʲɪɡrəˈmotnəsʲtʲ]

Note on неграмотность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("mot"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: The lack of ability to read and write, often in an educational or societal context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неграмотность - Used in formal discussions, reports, or educational settings to describe illiteracy as a social issue.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых странах уровень неграмотности среди взрослого населения остаётся высоким.

  In some countries, the level of illiteracy among the adult population remains high.

• Неграмотность может привести к ограниченным возможностям в трудоустройстве.

  Illiteracy can lead to limited opportunities in employment.

• Правительства мира вкладывают средства в борьбу с неграмотностью через программы образования.

  Governments around the world invest in fighting illiteracy through education programs.

• В отдалённых регионах неграмотность часто связана с недостатком доступа к школам.

  In remote regions, illiteracy is often linked to a lack of access to schools.

• Преодоление неграмотности — это ключ к экономическому развитию общества.

  Overcoming illiteracy is key to the economic development of society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"неграмотность" is a feminine noun of the third declension in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. It is invariable in terms of gender but changes according to case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безграмотность (bezgramotnost') - Similar, but often implies a more temporary or situational lack of literacy; used interchangeably in most contexts.
  • необразованность (neobrazovannost') - Slightly broader, implying general lack of education, not just literacy.
• Antonyms:
  • грамотность (gramotnost') - Directly opposite, meaning literacy or the ability to read and write.
  • образованность (obrazovannost') - General education or cultured knowledge.

Related Phrases:

• уровень неграмотности (uroven' negramotnosti) - Level of illiteracy; Used in statistical or policy discussions to quantify the issue.
• борьба с неграмотностью (bor'ba s negramotnost'yu) - Fight against illiteracy; Common in educational campaigns and global initiatives.
• функциональная неграмотность (funktsional'naya negramotnost') - Functional illiteracy; Refers to the inability to use reading and writing in everyday life.

Usage Notes:

"неграмотность" directly corresponds to "illiteracy" in English, focusing on the absence of basic reading and writing skills. It is typically used in formal or academic contexts rather than casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like "безграмотность," opt for "неграмотность" in broader social discussions. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun and adjust for case based on sentence structure (e.g., genitive for possession). English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with verbs like "бороться" (to fight) or "преодолевать" (to overcome) to emphasize action-oriented contexts.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "неграмотность" with "невежество" (ignorance): Learners might misuse "невежество" thinking it means illiteracy, but it actually refers to a lack of knowledge. Correct usage: Use "неграмотность" for literacy-specific issues. Example of error: "Он имеет невежество в чтении" (incorrect); Correct: "Он страдает от неграмотности" (He suffers from illiteracy).

• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., using nominative "неграмотность" in a genitive context. Example of error: "Уровень неграмотность" (incorrect); Correct: "Уровень неграмотности" (The level of illiteracy). This stems from not applying Russian case rules consistently.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "неграмотность" has been a significant issue, particularly in the early 20th century during the Soviet era, when mass literacy campaigns were launched to eradicate it. Today, it often carries connotations of social inequality and is tied to themes of modernization and access to education, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective progress through learning.

Related Concepts:

• образование (obrazovanie) - Education
• алфавитная грамотность (alfavitnaya gramotnost') - Alphabetic literacy
• функциональная грамотность (funktsional'naya gramotnost') - Functional literacy