17. Audio Texts Signal Rise of New Literacy
Many people read physical books or e-books, but now there is a new-trend listening to audiobooks (有声读物).
According to a recent report by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP), more people are choosing to listen to audiobooks these days.
To be specific, 26 percent of adults listened to audiobooks in 2018, which was 3. 2 percentage higher than that in 2017.
Young people have been the main driver in the development of audiobooks. Some 26. 2 percent of teenagers listened to audiobooks in 2018, which was 3. 5 percent higher than that in 2017. Ximalaya noted that the value of audiobook purchases made by those aged 13 to 18 in 2018 increased by 330 percent over that of 2017, the Beijing Evening News reported.
One of the reasons that audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular is that people want to get more use out of their free time, China News Service reported. Listening to e-books frees up time for them, whether they are at the gym, on a bus or in bed. Faster internet speeds mean that a book can be downloaded in seconds, according to Wei Yushan, director of CAPP.
Listening to audio books also helps with loneliness. "When I feel bored or lonely, listening to audio books makes me feel that there is someone accompanying (陪伴 )me," Zhong Yan, an office worker who is obsessed with audio books, told the Beijing Evening News.
However, audiobooks are still far from perfect. "Listening to audiobooks doesn't make you think in the way you do when you're reading a book. It's also likely that you will miss information while you listen, " said Zhong.
Qiang Qiang, a primary student who often listens to audiobooks, shares this perspective: "Despite (即使, 尽管) its convenience, audiobooks are less detailed than physical books you read," he told the Beijing Evening News.
Li Yini, assistant general manager of Baicaoyuan Bookstore in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, told Jiangnan Times that people who want a book with serious content should choose a paper book or e-book, but they can choose an audiobook if the content is easy to understand.