read

Read is the act of interpreting written language by recognizing symbols, letters, and punctuation to construct meaning. In English, the verb read has two pronunciations: the present tense "read" is pronounced reed, while the past tense and past participle "read" is pronounced red. Reading involves decoding and comprehension and can be practiced across many languages and scripts.

Cognitive processes underpin reading. It requires decoding letter-sound correspondences, recognizing words rapidly, and integrating new information with prior knowledge to derive meaning. Skilled readers deploy fluent decoding, vocabulary knowledge, and working memory to construct understanding, while higher-level reading engages inferencing, evaluation, and synthesis.

Historically, reading emerged with the development of writing systems in ancient civilizations and evolved through manuscript culture to mass literacy after the invention of the printing press. The spread of public schooling and compulsory education in the 19th and 20th centuries greatly expanded access to written texts, shaping reading practices and standards worldwide.

Reading practices vary by purpose and format. Skimming focuses on gist, scanning targets specific details, and close or critical reading analyzes structure, argument, and evidence. Formats include printed books, newspapers, digital screens, e-books, and audiobooks. Digital reading introduces hyperlinks and multimedia, while accessibility features, such as adjustable fonts and text-to-speech, support diverse readers, including those with reading difficulties.

Societal aspects of reading center on literacy as a foundational skill for education, employment, and civic life. Literacy metrics, library access, and educational programs help track and improve reading proficiency. Publishing, schooling, and public institutions collaborate to foster lifelong reading and information literacy.