Gradatiekenmerken

Gradatiekenmerken are characteristics that indicate the degree or intensity of a certain property, phenomenon or classification. The term is used in several academic and professional fields, most notably in linguistics, medicine, education and engineering, where a systematic gradation is required.

In Dutch linguistic terminology, gradatiekenmerken refer to lexical or morphological marks that signal the comparative or superlative form of adjectives and adverbs. For example, the comparative suffix ‑er and the superlative suffix ‑st in Dutch are gradatiekenmerken that differentiate ordinary, higher, and highest degrees of a property. Grammatical research also examines semantic gradation, such as the use of intensifiers or degree adverbs that modify the strength of an attribute.

In medical diagnostics, gradatiekenmerken describe the severity of a disease or injury. For instance, the grading of a tumour on a scale from grade I to grade IV is based on specific histopathological features that serve as gradatiekenmerken. These features are used to determine prognosis, treatment options and to standardize reporting across institutions.

In educational assessment, gradatiekenmerken are criteria used to differentiate grades or marks. They may include cognitive and affective domains, such as mastery of content, analytical skills or creativity. Similarly, engineering and safety standards often rely on graded characteristics to classify risk levels, safety margins or material tolerances.

Across these domains, gradatiekenmerken provide a framework for consistent evaluation, communication and decision-making by offering objective, measurable distinctions within a hierarchical structure.