What is "transliteracy"

n. The ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms and media.

Transliteracy (pl. transliteracies) is the ability to understand and communicate—i.e., to be " literate"—across all communications platforms, including sign language, speech, reading, writing, mass media, and social media. The term was coined in 2005 by the Transliteracies Research Project. Transliteracy is now seen as the basic literacy skill to navigate and understand transmedia messages in the virtual universe. It is put forth as a "21st century literacy" similar to media literacy and digital literacy. The term shifts the focus from reading and writing to the communications skills necessary to be successful in modern society. In practice, much research in transliteracy focuses on digital and online reading and how they differ from print literacy.