Thread

1. hizlikovboy27 · 1790573219 · focus · HN ↗

   the Augustine passage is a fascinating piece of evidence, but i wonder how much we can infer from it about the wider reading habits of the ancient world.

   1. rob74 · 1790575606 · focus · HN ↗

      To get to that, we have to first think about the literacy rate in antiquity, which is estimated at 5 to 10%. And of those, most could probably read well enough to get by, but didn't routinely read longer texts. So someone who was well-enough versed in reading to not have to read the text out loud in order to understand it was probably a rare and noteworthy creature indeed...

      1. BariumBlue · 1790577623 · focus · HN ↗

         I would imagine most reading would be "let me read that sign" and not much else. To most folks, writing was probably logographs - "Ah, I've seen that collection of letters before, that meant 'pub' "

         1. crooked-v · 1790578940 · focus · HN ↗

            Public signage with words was basically nonexistent in the pre-modern era. Why bother? The overhead of getting literate people was reserved for the stuff that couldn't be communicated in symbols, like keeping records for the taxman or contracts to prevent future land disputes.

            1. mrob · 1790588708 · focus · HN ↗

               British pubs traditionally have a hanging signboard with a pictorial illustration of the name. Several examples at:

               <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Pub_names_in_Great_Britain" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Pub_names_in_Great_Britain

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