Mitteärritavad

Mitteärritavad is a neologistic term used in contemporary Finnish-language discourse to describe practices, content, or design choices intended to be non-irritating or less provocative. The word blends "mitte," a negating particle in Finnish, with a stem related to irritate, effectively meaning "not irritating." It is used more as a descriptive label than as a formal theory.

The concept applies to various domains, especially media, education, and digital design. In media guidelines, mitteärritavad approaches emphasize plain language, calm and balanced framing, and cautious use of sensational elements. In user experience and product design, the idea translates to accessible interfaces, predictable navigation, moderate visual contrast, and content warnings when appropriate. The underlying aim is to reduce unnecessary cognitive load and trigger effects for a broad audience while maintaining clarity and usefulness.

Proponents argue that mitteärritavad practices improve accessibility, reduce defensive responses, and foster inclusive environments. Critics caution that focusing on being non-irritating can verge on paternalism or risk suppressing important but potentially contentious topics, as well as dampen critical discussion.

Despite its status as a relatively new coinage, the term appears in online discussions, design blogs, and language forums as a label for a family of practices rather than a formal, codified theory. Related concepts include accessible design, plain language, inclusive communication, and media literacy.