Explicietie

Explicietie is a term used in Dutch-language discourse to denote the property of being explicit. The word is formed from expliciet, meaning explicit, combined with the suffix -ie to form a noun representing a quality or state. In use, explicietie describes how directly and unambiguously information is presented, as opposed to implicit or tacit communication.

In linguistics and translation studies, explicietie is often discussed alongside explicitation, the process of making explicit what was implicit in the source or context. Analysts may assess explicietie to determine how much of the meaning is stated outright versus inferred from context, and how this balance affects comprehension and rhetorical effect. Examples include adding an explicit subject in a pro-drop language, or specifying a reference that could be assumed by the reader.

Applications of explicietie appear in writing, editing, and translation, where a higher level of explicitness can improve clarity but may also increase redundancy. Conversely, lower explicietie can yield more economical prose but risk ambiguity. The appropriate level depends on audience, genre, and purpose.

See also: explicitation, explicitness, clarity, implicitness.