Reading and Reading Acquisition

The role of written language and therefore of reading in society and in the individual is examined. This is in part achieved by an examination of the historical emergence of writing systems, which in turn is used to suggest parallels with the acquisition of literacy by the child. The hypothesized parallels are tested against empirical evidence on the normal trajectory of reading acquisition. Failures of acquisition (developmental dyslexia) are also discussed. Turning attention to skilled reading, some abiding issues, such as speed reading, eye movements, and the role of "inner speech," are canvassed. Modern, computer-based models of reading are also introduced, models that are bringing the study of reading to new levels of scientific rigor and promise.