What does reading correspond to in terms of language abilities?

Reading primarily corresponds to comprehension in terms of language abilities. When a person reads, they engage with text to understand and interpret the meaning behind the words. This process requires the ability to decode written symbols, access vocabulary knowledge, and link ideas together, all of which center on the concept of comprehension.

While production, communication, and listening are important language abilities, they do not encompass the core function of reading. Production refers to the creation of language, whether spoken or written, and is more about expressing thoughts and ideas rather than understanding them. Communication is a broader term that encompasses both receptive (listening, reading) and expressive (speaking, writing) components of language. Listening relates to the ability to understand spoken language, a skill that, while related to reading, does not directly define what occurs during the act of reading itself.

Thus, the essential characteristic of reading lies in its focus on comprehension, making it the key aspect of deciphering and deriving meaning from text.