Learner Resource5.2‒Jargon

Jargon is defined as specialist vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.

Every profession generates its own specialised language or field specific lexis; education, the law and business are just three but the list gets even longer if we include other forms of group activity such as sporting and leisure pursuits. We often call this sort of language jargon. In all these cases, the existence of this jargon enables members of the group to communicate with each other concisely, clearly and efficiently but less positively, jargon can be a way of excluding others and making the user feel more important and sophisticated.

The term itself has a descriptive neutral definition but the word is sometimes used more negatively (or pejoratively) to refer to language that is excessively technical and hard to understand.

Positive use of jargon
List below when jargon is necessary and helpful. / Negative use of jargon
List below when jargon is unhelpful.

Version 11© OCR 2017

Linguistic variations of power

Features of unhelpful jargon

Common linguistic features of the kind of unhelpful jargon referred to above include the following:

  • Vocabulary that is unnecessarily complex, scientific, or technical and that is unlikely to be understood by the audience. Words are likely to be long and difficult, when shorter, simpler words would be more effective.
  • Vocabulary that is currently fashionable (using ‘buzz words’) Often the meaning is vague and imprecise (interface, blue sky thinking, synergy, thinking outside the box etc.)
  • Euphemisms may be used to disguise the reality of what is being described e.g. a company that is dismissing some of its employees may refer to this as downsizing or rationalization
  • Unnecessarily elaborate constructions e.g. nouns become noun phrases: library becomes learning resource centre and department becomes curriculum team.

Pointless jargon

Choose one of the following specialist interests or occupations:

  • Stunt Scootering
  • Gaming (you choose the game)
  • Snowboarding
  • Cross stitching
  • Street Dance
/
  • Tai Chi
  • American Football
  • Classic car enthusiasts
  • Film Directors
  • Angling
/
  • Police
  • Music
  • Pokemon
  • Game of Thrones
  • Your choice

Research

  1. Use the internet to research some examples of specialist lexis that its users/members would know.
  2. Choose a list of ten words/phrases and their definitions which you think others will NOT know.
  3. Create a quiz for other members of the class (any style).

Quizzing and scoring

  1. Get other members of the class to take your quiz.
  2. You score a point for every question they get WRONG.
  3. If there are any terms and definitions NOT supplied by a member of the class, this is a POINTLESS answer.

Reflection

Which specialist lexis was the most obscure?

Can you think of any reason why this is?

Version 11© OCR 2017

Linguistic variations of power