Don't Use Jargon

As a reader, I need familiar words, so that I can determine their meaning.

Overview

Jargon refers to words and expressions that are used by a particular group or profession. It causes problems when used out of context, because of it lacks customary interpretation or meaning. As a result people are unable to contrast it against other words and derive meaning.

The French linguist Ferdinand de Saussure argues that a language is a system of differences where the significance of words is derived by contrasting them against other words. He maintains that the relationship between words is arbitrary, created by custom, rather than a natural connection.

Example: 'Triage' is a word used by medical professionals which refers to the assignment of degrees of urgency to decide the order of treatment of wounds, illnesses, etc. A problem occurs when information technology professionals, perceiving IT problems as life and death issues, decide to appropriate the word 'triage' to refer to the prioritization of IT issues.

Jargon gets even worse when it takes the form of gibberish or made up words. As Saussure observes, as soon as artificial words are released to the public they take on a life of their own.

Example: A librarian joins together the words 'library' and 'guide' to hatch a new word 'libguide'. Because the new word is devoid of customary meaning, it cannot be contrasted against other words. Even if we don't know what a 'library guide' is, we know what it is not. It is not a 'library book' or a 'campus guide'.


Jargon and Autism

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can have difficulty interpreting the context in which words are used, especially when they are used in an uncommon way.

For example, try saying the following sentences using the word 'lead':

  1. It was the lead guitarist that sang at the concert.
  2. Mary wanted to take the dog for a walk, so she went to the cupboard and took the lead.
  3. It was lead in the box that made it so heavy.
  4. The scrap metal man first took the copper and iron and then he took the lead.

Individuals with ASD may have difficulty correctly pronouncing the word 'lead' in sentence 3 because:

  1. it is used before context is established (i.e. the heaviness of the box), and
  2. we normally find cords in a box, not metal in a box

They might also find sentence 4 confusing because 'took the lead' normally refers to going first or leading by example.

Literary devices that create jargon

Portmanteau

The joining of parts of two words to create a new word.

  • smoke + fog = smog
  • library + guide = libguide

Eponym

A person or thing after which something else is named.

  • Atlas = A Greek Titan who was condemned by Zues to hold up the sky for eternity.
  • Atlas = A book of maps or charts.
  • Themis = A Greek Titaness who personified divine order, fairness, law, and natural law.
  • Themis = A web application for managing staff records, finance and research.

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of other words.

  • UN = United Nations
  • CAP = Community Access Program.
  • CAP = Counselling and Psychological Services.
  • CAPS = Curriculum Approval and Publications System.

Personification

A word or phrase formed by attributing a personal nature to a thing.

  • The wind whispers in the trees.
  • myUniApps = University web applications.
  • myequals = Qualifications.
  • my.unimelb = Student information.
  • My Home = Learning materials.
  • Staff Hub = Service and information for staff.
  • StudentOne = Student information.

Tip: Use a spell checker to help identify jargon.