Illegible vs. Unintelligible — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Illegible handwriting cannot be deciphered due to poor physical presentation, whereas unintelligible speech or text is not clear enough to be understood due to its content or complexity.
Difference Between Illegible and Unintelligible
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Illegible refers specifically to text that is hard to read because of its appearance, such as messy handwriting or faint printing. On the other hand, unintelligible relates to spoken or written content that is difficult to understand because the language used is unclear or confusing.
When something is illegible, the characters or letters themselves are not clearly visible or distinguishable. Whereas, unintelligible content may involve clear and visible text or audible speech but lacks clarity in meaning due to poor structure or complicated jargon.
Illegibility often arises from physical issues like a writer's hurried scrawl or a smudged print. In contrast, unintelligibility can stem from abstract issues such as complex ideas not being conveyed in a straightforward manner.
Improving legibility might involve simply rewriting or reprinting a text more clearly. On the other hand, making something unintelligible comprehensible might require simplifying the language or reorganizing the ideas to enhance clarity.
In the context of accessibility, tools like enhanced lighting or magnifying glasses can aid in reading illegible text. Conversely, tools such as glossaries or explanations are needed to understand unintelligible passages.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Hard to read due to appearance
Hard to understand due to content
Common Causes
Poor handwriting, smudges
Complex language, poor structure
Solutions
Rewriting, better printing
Simplification, clarification
Related to
Physical presentation
Content clarity
Tools for Improvement
Magnifying glass, better light
Glossaries, simpler explanations
Compare with Definitions
Illegible
Marked by unclear characters.
The prescription was illegible and had to be rewritten.
Unintelligible
Not able to be understood.
His explanation was so complex that it was unintelligible.
Illegible
Not clear enough to be read.
His notes were so illegible that no one else could decipher them.
Unintelligible
Lacking clarity or coherence.
The audio recording was muffled and unintelligible.
Illegible
Difficult to make out the words.
The signature on the painting was illegible.
Unintelligible
Not comprehensible without additional context.
Without prior knowledge, the lecture was unintelligible.
Illegible
Requiring effort to interpret visually.
Her handwriting is so rushed and illegible.
Unintelligible
Communicating in a confusing way.
The witness’s statement was rushed and unintelligible.
Illegible
Poorly printed or handwritten.
The document was illegible due to water damage.
Unintelligible
Using overly complex or jargon-heavy language.
The legal text was unintelligible to laypeople.
Illegible
Not clear enough to be read
His handwriting is totally illegible
Unintelligible
Difficult or impossible to understand or comprehend; incomprehensible
Unintelligible remarks.
An unintelligible prose passage.
Illegible
Not legible or decipherable.
Unintelligible
Not intelligible; unable to be understood.
Illegible
Not clear enough to be read; unreadable; not legible or decipherable.
Unintelligible
Poorly articulated or enunciated, or drowned by noise;
Unintelligible speech
Illegible
Incapable of being read; not legible; as, illegible handwriting; an illegible inscription.
Unintelligible
Not clearly understood or expressed
Illegible
(of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible;
Illegible handwriting
Common Curiosities
How can I fix illegible writing?
Rewriting with clear handwriting or printing using a better method can fix illegibility.
Can speech be illegible?
No, speech cannot be illegible; it can be unintelligible if it's unclear or too complex to understand.
What are common reasons for writing to be illegible?
Common reasons include rushed handwriting, small or cramped lettering, and physical damage to the writing surface.
Can formatting make text illegible?
Yes, poor formatting choices like inappropriate font size, color contrast, or overcrowded text can render written content illegible.
What makes a piece of text unintelligible?
A text is unintelligible if it uses overly complicated language or lacks logical coherence.
In what situations is unintelligibility a significant issue?
Unintelligibility can be particularly problematic in legal, medical, and academic contexts where precise understanding is crucial.
Are there tools that help make unintelligible text understandable?
Tools like language translators, simplification software, or context glossaries can help make complex texts more understandable.
What role does audio quality play in speech intelligibility?
Poor audio quality, such as distortion or background noise, can significantly reduce the intelligibility of spoken words.
How can I improve my handwriting to avoid it being illegible?
Practicing consistent letter formation, spacing, and slowing down while writing can improve legibility.
What does it mean if text is illegible?
If text is illegible, it means it is so poorly written or printed that reading it is difficult or impossible.
Is unintelligibility always due to language complexity?
Not always; it can also be due to lack of context or poor audio quality in the case of spoken words.
Is there a way to test if my text is intelligible to others?
Getting feedback from peers, using readability tests, or employing clarity-checking software can help determine the intelligibility of text.
How does digital communication affect the legibility and intelligibility of text?
Digital communication can affect legibility with screen resolution and font choices, and intelligibility with informal abbreviations and lack of non-verbal cues.
Can cultural differences make language unintelligible?
Yes, cultural references, idioms, and colloquialisms unfamiliar to a listener or reader can make language unintelligible.
Can illegible text be legally binding?
Illegible text in contracts or agreements can lead to disputes and may not be legally binding if it causes misunderstandings about essential terms.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
