Entydlig

Entydlig is a Swedish adjective meaning unambiguous or unequivocal. It describes something that can be understood in only one way and that lacks inherent ambiguity. In everyday use the term is applied to statements, instructions, or signals where the intended meaning is clear and not open to multiple interpretations.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from en- meaning one and tydlig meaning clear, signaling a single, definite meaning. The term is common in Swedish linguistics, rhetoric, law, and education. Cognates exist in Danish entydig and Norwegian entydig.

Usage and contexts: In linguistics and logic, entydlighet refers to a property of expressions that have exactly one semantic interpretation within a given context. In policy and technical writing, entydiga formuleringar are preferred to reduce misinterpretation. In software and data design, entydig semantics and interfaces aim to prevent ambiguity in machine processing.

Examples: A sentence such as "Rapporten ska lämnas in senast fredag kl. 17" is entydig because the deadline is clearly specified. In contrast, a statement like "leveransen görs så snart som möjligt" tends toward entydlighet only if further definitional constraints are provided.

Relation to ambiguity and precision: Entydlighet stands in contrast to tvetydighet, or ambiguity. Achieving entydlighet can require precise wording, explicit definitions, or formalization, especially in technical domains where misinterpretation can lead to errors or inconsistent outcomes.

See also: tydlighet, tvetydighet, semantisk precision.