lezenschap

Lezenschap is a Dutch term that denotes the state or condition of reading, or more broadly, the community and culture of readers in a society. The word is formed from lezen (to read) and the suffix -schap, which creates abstract nouns indicating a state or collective practice. The term is used mainly in sociocultural and educational contexts to describe how people engage with printed and digital texts, and how reading habits shape access to information and culture.

In usage, lezenschap can refer to both individual literacy and collective reading practices, such as preferences for genres, time spent reading, and participation in libraries or reading clubs. It is often contrasted with other factors that influence reading, such as schooling, socioeconomic status, gender, and digital media availability. The concept also encompasses regulatory and policy considerations, such as literacy programs, school curricula, and public libraries, aiming to strengthen lezenschap in a population.

Related concepts include leescultuur (reading culture), leesvaardigheid (reading proficiency), and bibliotheekgebruik (library use). Discussion of lezenschap intersects with broader issues of information literacy, media literacy, and access to texts in a digital age.

Because lezenschap is not a formal, universally standardized term, its exact scope can vary by author or field. It is best understood as an analytic shorthand for the interplay between reading practice, literacy, and access to texts within a society.