lettura

Lettura is the Italian term for the act of reading. It encompasses the process of interpreting written text to derive meaning, and can refer to silent reading as well as reading aloud. In Italian, the concept also appears in phrases such as lettura critica (critical reading) and lettura espressiva (expressive reading).

Etymology: Lettura derives from Latin lectura, from legere “to read.” The related noun lettore means reader, and other derivatives include leggio (reading stand) and lettura pubblica (public reading).

Pedagogy and cognition: In education, lettura involves decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Italian orthography is relatively phonemic, with a close grapheme-phoneme correspondence, which shapes approaches to teaching reading. Practices distinguish silent reading (lettura silenziosa) from reading aloud (lettura ad alta voce).

Culture and history: Reading has long been a central activity in Italian culture, linked to education, literature, and public discourse. The rise of universal schooling and public libraries expanded access to texts and supported literacy development across social groups.

Technology and access: In the digital age, lettura takes place on screens as digital reading (lettura digitale) and through e-books, audiobooks, and online resources. Libraries, schools, and publishers continue to promote reading through programs and services that increase access for diverse readers.