Concept in Definition ABC

It comes from the Latin word litteratus, which means "that bears letters." Therefore, the word literate refers to the person who knows, studies and knows how to use such tool essential of the human being. This term is used in two different contexts. On the one hand, it is a synonym for lawyer or jurist. On the other, it refers to the individual who stands out for the management of writing.

The man of laws

The roman law is one of the most remarkable legacies of the civilization of Ancient Rome. In current legal language, many principles that come from this civilization are maintained. As a consequence, Latin-based terms continue to be used.

Although the word lawyer is the most common, in certain formal contexts the word learned is used. If the lawyer has a singular prestige or carries out advanced studies on the right the word jurist is used.

On the other hand, in Spain some public officials of the administration they include the term in question, such as the cases of the senior counsel of the Senate or of the body of attorneys of the administration of justice.

The opposite of illiterate

In ancient times, few people could read and to write. Those who knew writing were especially valued for certain administrative, religious and creative activities.

The scribes of Ancient Egypt were in charge of making the hieroglyphs and later introduced the cuneiform writing.

In Roman civilization, the scribe had the function of drawing up contracts, participating in trials, or giving testimony in some legal agreement.

It should be noted that the scribe was not the only professional dedicated to the drafting of texts, since there were also cursors, notaries and logos.

In the Middle Ages, monasteries had a specialist, the scribe

His job was to write the books and documents by hand. In some institutions civilians or military clerks also worked. With the appearance of the printing press in the 15th century, this activity gradually disappeared.

In short, the people who wrote were literate, because they knew everything related to letters. This word is still used as a synonym for cultured or educated person. Logically, the uneducated, illiterate or poorly educated person is known as illiterate.

In the Christian world the patron saint of men of letters and translators is Saint Jerome

This saint from the 5th century AD. C was the one who first translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin. His translation is commonly known as the Vulgate, which literally means "edition for the people."

Photos: Fotolia - Zdenek / Yael Weiss