Uniform Information Density
Definition
The hypothesis of uniform information density describes the distribution of new information when speaking.
A linguistic hypothesis according to which speakers tend to distribute information as evenly as possible over utterances.
Simply explained
The idea: People distribute new information rather evenly instead of packing all important information into a single short sentence part.
Why it matters in practice
The term helps to select, develop, evaluate AI systems in a well-founded manner and realistically assess their technical risks.
Example from business
A text team uses UID only as an analysis idea and tests comprehensibility with readers.
Limits and pitfalls
- UID is not a fixed writing rule nor a general quality measure; estimation model, language, and context influence results.
Origin & history
Levy and Jaeger formulated UID in 2007 as an explanation for probabilistic reduction and linguistic choice.
Use in mid-sized companies
- Possible application: A text team uses UID only as an analytical idea and tests comprehensibility with readers.
Frequently asked questions
What does Uniform Information Density mean?
A linguistic hypothesis according to which speakers tend to distribute information as evenly as possible across utterances. What should one pay attention to? UID is not a fixed writing rule nor a general quality measure; estimation model, language, and context influence results.
Sources
- Speakers optimize information density · Levy and Jaeger, Speakers optimize information density
Source checked on 10.10.2026. Editorial application examples are hypothetical; no evidence of real customer results.
Editorially reviewed on: