What does it mean to be literate?

To be literate in something means that you have the background knowledge and skills in a specified area. If I say that I am computer literate, it means that I can navigate myself around a computer and have the basic skills to use the computer to do what I need it for. A culturally literate person can read and write about other cultures and understands the basics of that culture. They may be able to recognize the traditions or foods of that culture, and etc.