Meaning of alphabetism | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An initialism: an abbreviation which is read letter by letter, such as UN.
   countable
2. The ability to read an alphabet, a rudimentary form of literacy.
   uncountable
3. Excessive reliance upon the alphabet or alphabetic structures.
   uncountable
4. Discrimination on the basis of the first letter of a name.
   uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Some alphabetisms are written as if they weren't alphabetisms at all, like⟳ deejay for DJ, disc jockey, or emcee for MC, master of ceremonies.”

“Some of the activities involved in ... corvée and military needs stimulated the spread⟳ of a certain type⟳ of minimal alphabetism for inventorying and most likely encouraged the development of a professional scribalism for record-keeping and book-keeping.”

“The answer⟳, I suggest⟳, is that phonemism is rooted in alphabetism. Indeed, many linguists have⟳ suggested that there really is a /g/ phoneme at the end⟳ of 'fang' and other [ŋ]-final words in English, except that they are not pronounced!”

“The injustice of "alphabetism" is, of course, a thorn in the Zitser side, and he playfully promises to assign the problem to "alphabetically neutral" aides.”

CEFR level