Functionally illiterate

The labels functionally illiterate or semi-literate designate people who can theoretically read and write, but don't understand complex texts and can't write at an adult level. Irony, sarcasm, veiled criticism and implied meanings go right over their heads. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2023 the population of semi-literate people in the United States stood at around 20%. I suspect the current figure is not significantly different, which means that, when it comes to texts, one in five Americans read below a 6th grade level. All of them are allowed to vote. Let that sink in.

This state of affairs, which is by no means exclusive to the U.S., presents obvious problems to democratic countries and explains in part the staggering success of empty slogans and tired mantras, but that is hardly our concern. As an advanced student, you are expected to perceive and express nuances that go beyond the basic thoughts. In other words, you can't afford to act like a semi-literate language user. In case you are wondering, here are some of the salient traits that describe sophisticated expression:

• Thinly veiled criticism: I like political campaigns to be conducted in a calm and measured way with proper consideration of the issues
• Backhanded compliments: You look great. I didn't even recognize you!
• Non-human subject
• Some conceptual overlap is to be expected
• There does seem to be a movement toward more careful consideration of UFOs
• Faith is wielded as a cudgel to subjugate perceived enemies
• Humor: Of course you've put on some weight! You look like a planet!
• Accuracy
• He was entrenched in his views
• The epaulette had to be stitched back on
• Quite a bit of pocket lint had lodged itself in the USB port
• Complex syntax: He had wonderful discrimination in avoiding the tittering girls with whose faces he was familiar
• Non-binary vocabulary: singe, damp, crusty, passable, peevish
• Self-awareness: She traveled in what I can only describe as a Victorian contraption
• Litotes:
• I don't disagree
• That is no small feat
• He has hardly been unwilling to address those issues

Check out this quote taken from a history book which refers to the moon landing in 1969.

The astronauts left a plaque expressing the noble sentiment, "We came in peace for all mankind". But so that mankind did not forget exactly who had come in peace, they also planted the Stars and Stripes. (1)

Can you identify the tone of that paragraph? If you do, congratulations. Your English is on the right track. And if you can write something like that, well, you are already walking on advanced territory.

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(1) The Visual History of the Modern World Carlton Books Limited (1999).

N.B. 2 For further information you may want to watch this clip. Granted, it has a political bias (David Pakman is a left-wing podcaster), but it contains no falsehoods.