Sir, - In the Simplex Crossword 10,041 (May 9th) the clue for 19 down was "illiterate or uninformed (8)" and the answer was "ignorant". For many years the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) has been campaigning to reduce the stigma attached to people with reading and writing difficulties by highlighting that these people are neither uninformed nor ignorant. On the contrary, it is widely recognised that people without basic reading and writing skills are equipped with a range of other intelligences and skills.
Learners in literacy schemes throughout the country find the use of the word "illiterate" offensive, as do those who work in adult basic education. It is important not to reinforce the negative stereotyping associated with this word but instead to use words that truly reflect the position of at least 100,000 adults in Ireland who experience difficulty with reading and writing. This may go some way to encouraging more people to return to adult basic education tuition. - Yours, etc.,
Acting Director, National Adult Literacy Agency, Dublin 1.