@article{furnasVocabularyProblemHumansystem1987,
  title = {The Vocabulary Problem in Human-System Communication},
  author = {Furnas, G. W. and Landauer, T. K. and Gomez, L. M. and Dumais, S. T.},
  date = {1987-11-01},
  journaltitle = {Communications of the ACM},
  shortjournal = {Commun. ACM},
  volume = {30},
  number = {11},
  pages = {964--971},
  issn = {0001-0782},
  doi = {10.1145/32206.32212},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1145/32206.32212},
  urldate = {2022-12-29},
  abstract = {In almost all computer applications, users must enter correct words for the desired objects or actions. For success without extensive training, or in first-tries for new targets, the system must recognize terms that will be chosen spontaneously. We studied spontaneous word choice for objects in five application-related domains, and found the variability to be surprisingly large. In every case two people favored the same term with probability {$<$}0.20. Simulations show how this fundamental property of language limits the success of various design methodologies for vocabulary-driven interaction. For example, the popular approach in which access is via one designer's favorite single word will result in 80-90 percent failure rates in many common situations. An optimal strategy, unlimited aliasing, is derived and shown to be capable of several-fold improvements.},
  file = {/home/dominikh/notes/pdfs/furnasVocabularyProblemHumansystem1987.pdf}
}