Options for Multimodal Expression and the Literacy Required for Perceiving the Meaning of Textual Material in the Digital Age

 This article deals with the visualization of textual information, and provides a description and an analysis of the principal means by which this process of visualization can be achieved. Extensive attention has been given to images of various kinds which are being employed nowadays in almost all types of discourse and on different language levels, and their specific advantages and disadvantages have been noted. Other media devices  including charts, graphs and various types of diagrams have received some attention as well, although not to the same degree, and their importance and their unique characteristics have been described. The distinctive features of non-verbal means have been analyzed in the light of the developmental patterns which can be observed in recent decades.  A great deal of attention has been focused on the fact that traditional paradigms are in the process of being reoriented in the 21st century. As a result of this evolution, it is necessary to reconsider some paradigms which we may have assumed to be fixed permanently. On a broader level, the concepts of multimodal and visual literacy have been characterized in terms of the approaches which are proving to be appropriate for present-day linguistic study. References Barnes B. S. (2011). An Introduction to Visual Communication: from Cave Art to SecondLife. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc. Berger, A. A. (2008). Seeing is Believing. An Introduction to Visual Communication.USA: McGrawHill. Learning Solutions. Bateman, J. A. (2014). Text and Image: a Critical Introduction to the Visual/VerbalDivine. London & New York: Routledge. Bergstrom, B. (2008). Essentials of Visual Communication. London: Laurence KingPublishing Ltd. Donis A. D. (1998). A Primer of Visual Literacy. Cambridge & London: The MIT Press Elkins, J. (2008). Visual literacy. London & New York: Routledge. Kress G., Leeuwen, T. van. (2001). Multimodal Discourse: The Modes and Media ofContemporary Communication. London: Arnold. Kress, G. (2004). Literacy in the New Media Age. London & New York: Routledge. Kress, G. (2010). Multimodality: a Social Semiotic Approach to ContemporaryCommunication. London and New York: Routledge. Kress, G., Leeuwen, T. van. (2006). Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design.London & New York: Routledge. Leborg, C. (2006). Visual Grammar. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Lester, P. (2006). Visual Communication: Images with Messages. Cаnada: WadsworthCengage Learning. O’Halloran, K. (2011). Multimodal Discourse Analysis. London & New York: Continuum.