ONCE Urges RAE to Update Definition of "Reading

The ONCE Asks the RAE to Update the Definition of "Read"

The National Organization of Spanish Blind People (ONCE) has sent a formal request to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). The objective is to review the definition of the verb "leer" (to read) in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language (DLE). The proposal seeks to explicitly recognize the act of reading through touch, specifically via the Braille system. This initiative is presented in the context of World Braille Day, celebrated every January 4. 📖

Details of the Proposal to the Academy

The ONCE argues that the current definition, which refers to "pasar la vista por lo escrito" (passing the eyes over what is written), does not describe the reality of thousands of people. For those who are blind or have severe visual impairment, reading involves using the fingertips to perceive and interpret raised signs. The organization proposes a broader and more inclusive wording that encompasses this method. Adapting the dictionary would be an important step to make visible a daily practice and validate Braille as a complete reading channel.

• The current definition excludes those who read with the sense of touch.
• Braille is a fully valid and autonomous reading method.
• A linguistic update promotes social and cultural inclusion.

Correcting this omission would, in itself, be a lesson on how language must evolve to leave no one in the dark.

Braille as a Fundamental Tool

The Braille system is based on a cell of six raised dots that combine to form letters, numbers, and symbols. This tool is crucial for blind people to educate themselves, access culture, and facilitate their inclusion in the workplace. Recognizing it in the main dictionary of Spanish is not just a semantic adjustment, but an act of respect toward a community that uses a different sense to achieve the same cognitive result: understanding a text.

• Allows independent reading and writing.
• It is the main gateway to knowledge and written information.
• It fosters personal autonomy and equal opportunities.

Toward a More Inclusive Language

There is a paradox in a dictionary, whose purpose is to describe the real use of language, omitting how a significant part of the population exercises a basic right. The ONCE's request underscores the need for official lexicon to reflect the diversity of human experiences. Including tactile reading in the definition of "leer" (to read) would not only update the DLE but also send a powerful message about the importance of designing a society where no one is left out, not even in words. ✨