Generally speaking, most people can’t read in dreams because the parts of the brain that process language are less active while asleep. Even though reading uses the left side of the brain, and dreams use the right side, some scientists found reading familiar words in dreams possible. People who lucid dream may be more likely to read in dreams, though unproven. In a survey, 14% reported reading in dreams, 8% recalled reading deeply. The ability to read in dreams is linked to higher intelligence. If you "read" in a dream, the text reflects the subconscious, not reality.
Insight on Dreaming and Reading
When we dream, our reading comprehension is more ‘telepathic’, which we may not recognize at first. We take in information through our subconscious rather than reading by identifying letters as when awake. In fact, being unable to read or write indicates you are dreaming. Dreams are mental imagery we experience while sleeping. It’s unclear what happens when we dream or why, but experts agree on basics. Dreaming likely occurs during REM sleep when brain activity rises. We can dream using any of the 5 senses, but most people’s dreams primarily use sight.
Why Most People Can’t Read in Dreams
When sleeping, the language area of the brain slows down, making reading, writing, and talking rare in dreams. While language-processing parts of the brain usually concentrate in the left hemisphere, it’s not an absolute rule. Some people use both hemispheres for language, and some use the right side. Reading involves the optic nerve, which processes seen words. When communication between these brain areas is disrupted, most dreamers experience nonsensical things in dreams, can’t read, or leave phone messages. However, almost every person who can read in dreams is a writer because their language areas remain active enough during sleep to sometimes process written words in dreams.