Redundanskritisk

Redundanskritisk is a term used to describe a critical approach to redundancy in language and information systems. It investigates when redundancy supports clear communication and reliable design, and when it becomes superfluous or even harmful. The concept combines ideas from linguistics, information design, and computer science, emphasizing a balanced view rather than an absolute rule against repetition.

Etymology and scope. The word blends Nordic roots related to redundancy and critical assessment, and has appeared in scholarly discussions since the mid-2020s. Redundanskritisk is not a single methodology but a frame for analyzing redundancy across domains, including written text, user interfaces, data schemas, and software code. Its aim is to preserve essential redundancy that aids comprehension or fault tolerance while reducing unnecessary repetition.

Principles and methods. Core principles include distinguishing beneficial redundancy from wasteful repetition, and prioritizing reductions that do not compromise comprehension or system resilience. Methods involve qualitative analysis of text and design, as well as quantitative metrics such as redundancy rate, information density, and compression ratios. Practical tools encompass style guides for concise writing, deduplication techniques in data management, and refactoring practices in software development.

Applications and examples. In copyediting, redundanskritisk guides eliminating pleonastic phrases like “free of charge” when “free” suffices. In data management, it supports deduplication and normalization to avoid duplicated records, while recognizing intentional redundancy in backups for reliability, error detection, or performance.

Criticism and reception. Critics note that some redundancy enhances memory, branding, or safety, so an absolutist stance against repetition may reduce clarity or resilience. The term remains most common in Scandinavian discussions and evolving global textbooks on information design and communication.