Menneskeliglæselig

Menneskeliglæselig is a term used to describe content or interfaces that are optimized for human readers. It refers to information whose structure, language, and presentation are designed to maximize quick comprehension, retention, and meaningful use by people, rather than by automated systems. The word blends Danish/Norwegian roots: menneskelig meaning human, and læselig meaning readable.

Compared with machine-readable or machine-parsable content, menneskeliglæselig emphasizes clarity, context, and navigability. In practice, it appears in user guides, help centers, websites, and product interfaces where the primary goal is human understanding. Content can be considered menneskeliglæselig when it uses plain language, concise sentences, logical ordering, scannable formatting, and appropriate localization.

Principles include plain language and avoidance of jargon, explicit definitions of terms, consistent terminology, headings and summaries, visual aids, and examples. Localized user research and readability testing help ensure it meets diverse literacy levels and cultural contexts. Tools include style guides, readability metrics, and user testing.

Applications span software documentation, onboarding materials, customer support content, dashboards, and data storytelling, where readers must grasp meaning quickly. It does not preclude machine support; in many cases, human-readable content is complemented by machine-readable data behind the scenes.

Challenges involve balancing precision and conciseness, ensuring accuracy while staying accessible, and reconciling multilingual needs. Critics note that overemphasis on readability can risk oversimplification or ambiguity in technical domains.

See also: readability, plain language, accessibility, human-centered design, UX writing.