Literacy in the Golden Seas

Literacy in the Golden Seas region has a rich and evolving history, shaped by various cultural, religious, and technological influences. It is a testament to the region's commitment to knowledge and communication.
One of the most remarkable developments in the history of literacy in the Golden Seas region is the emergence of a Common Trade Tongue, which served as a unifying language for trade, communication, and diplomacy among the diverse ancestries of the region. Over time, the Common Trade Tongue gained prominence as the lingua franca of the Golden Seas region. It facilitated smoother trade, fostered cultural exchange, and promoted understanding among the region's diverse inhabitants. As a result, it played a vital role in the growth and prosperity of the region.

The Influence of the Faith of the Tenfold

The Faith of the Tenfold, a prominent religious institution in the region, played a pivotal role in promoting literacy. The clergy of the faith often took on the role of educators, teaching both commoners and nobles the art of reading and writing. This practice was not limited to religious matters; the clergy emphasized the importance of literacy in personal and societal development.The linguistic evolution was strongly influenced by the efforts of the Faith of the Tenfold to bridge the gap between different cultures and facilitate understanding. In the early years of trade and interaction between the various ancestries in the Golden Seas region, language barriers posed a significant challenge. Different cultures had their own written languages, making it difficult to communicate effectively across linguistic boundaries. As trade and cultural exchange became increasingly vital to the region's prosperity, the need for a common language became evident.

Creating a Hybrid Writing System

Recognizing the importance of the shared spoken language, the Faith of the Tenfold took on the monumental task of creating a hybrid writing system that would incorporate elements from the existing written languages of the region's ancestries. This system aimed to be accessible and fair to all, ensuring that no single ancestry's written language dominated the others.
The creation of the hybrid writing system was a collaborative effort, with scholars, linguists, and scribes from various ancestries coming together to develop a standardized script. This script incorporated characters, symbols, and grammar rules from each major ancestry's writing tradition, resulting in a writing system that was both familiar and inclusive.
With the development of the hybrid writing system, literacy became more accessible to individuals from different ancestries. The Faith of the Tenfold encouraged the use of this language not only for religious texts but also for trade agreements, diplomatic treaties, and educational materials. This initiative further promoted literacy, as individuals saw the practical advantages of being able to read and write in the Common Trade Tongue.
With the development of the first printing press, the church took a significant step forward in its mission to spread literacy. Thousands of texts were printed and distributed, encouraging people of all backgrounds to engage with written knowledge. This move paved the way for a more literate populace.

Guilds and Formalization

As guilds began to form and formalize various trades, writing became increasingly important. Noble courts employed writers to record their histories, resulting in the often exaggerated histories of the Legends Era. The motivation behind this practice was twofold. Firstly, noble houses sought to glorify their lineage, reinforcing their positions of power through grandiose historical accounts. Secondly, these written records served as tools of diplomacy, as nobles could exchange and compare their histories to forge alliances or negotiate favorable terms.

The Revolution of the Second Printing Press

A significant turning point in the region's literacy was the revolution brought about by the second printing press. The Cartographers' Guild allowed the Artificers Society to license the patent to craftsmen, leading to the rise of the "pulp press." Bards, scholars, and noble houses took advantage of this innovation to publish fiction, newspapers, and historical accounts.

The Rise of Journalism

In many major urban centers, journalism began to develop, but it often carried various biases due to its origins. Nobles, guilds, and merchants published their own stories, creating a landscape of diverse perspectives. However, it's important to note that much of this early journalism could be considered propaganda, as different publishers had their own agendas.

Literacy for the Commoners

By 1453 CE, literacy had become accessible to many commoners in the Golden Seas region. Even farmers found solace and entertainment in the latest novels penned by their favorite bards. As the written word became more widely available, literacy became a cherished skill for people from all walks of life.