Gjennomskuelig

Gjennomskuelig is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that can be seen through or easily understood. In physical terms it is less common than gjennomsiktig, which is the usual word for透明/transparent materials. In a broader, figurative sense, gjennomskuelig refers to information, processes, or explanations that are clear, open to scrutiny, and free of hidden elements. It conveys the idea that the criteria, methods, or reasoning behind something can be examined and judged by observers.

Etymology and nuance: the word is formed from gjennom meaning through and skue, an old or dialectal form related to seeing, with the suffix -lig meaning like or characteristic. The sense overlaps with related terms in Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish genomskådlig or Danish gennemskuelig, which share the idea of perceptibility or transparency beyond mere physical visibility. In Norwegian usage, the distinction between gjennomskuelig and gjennomsiktig tends to hinge on metaphorical versus literal transparency.

Usage and context: gjennomskuelig is commonly employed in discussions of governance, policy, and communication to indicate accountability and verifiability. It also appears in debates about data, algorithms, and organizational processes where stakeholders should be able to understand how decisions are made. While it emphasizes clarity and openness, it is sometimes contrasted with terms like åpenhet (openness) and gjennomsiktig (physically transparent) depending on the context. In technology and ethics, the concept aligns with aims of forklarbarhet or explainability in AI and data practices.