Inimloetavus

Inimloetavus is a concept describing the degree to which information is legible and interpretable by humans. It covers how easily readers can extract the intended meaning from text or other information presentations. The term combines inim (human) and loetavus (readability) in Estonian, and is used in discussions of communication design, education, and human-centered information systems. It is not a single standardized metric but a multidimensional construct that designers and researchers seek to optimize.

Dimensions of inimloetavus include linguistic clarity, structural organization, and visual presentation. Linguistic clarity involves vocabulary choice, sentence length, and active rather than passive voice. Structural clarity refers to logical flow, coherent sections, and explicit connections between ideas. Visual presentation encompasses typography, spacing, headings, and contrast that reduce cognitive effort. Accessibility considerations, such as compatibility with assistive technologies and adherence to legibility guidelines, also impact inimloetavus.

Measurement and evaluation typically combine automated readability scores with human-centered methods. Readability metrics tailored to the Estonian language may assess word and sentence length, syllable use, and text complexity. These are complemented by user testing, comprehension checks, and time-to-understand tasks to gauge how well audiences interpret information in real-world contexts.

Applications of inimloetavus span public communication, legal and administrative drafting, education, user interface design, and the evaluation of AI-generated content. Improving inimloetavus aims to enhance accessibility, reduce misinterpretation, and support informed decision-making while balancing precision with clarity.

See also: readability, accessibility, explainability, user experience.