Jargon: When Specialized Language Helps and Hurts

Evaluate when technical vocabulary communicates precisely and when it shuts readers out.

Jargon is the specialized vocabulary of a profession or group. Among experts, it is efficient: a doctor who says 'myocardial infarction' to another doctor communicates precisely and quickly. For outsiders, the same term may be a barrier; a patient needs to hear 'heart attack. ' Jargon becomes a problem when it is used with the wrong audience, when it replaces clear thinking, or when it is used to impress rather than inform. Corporate writing is a frequent offender: 'We will leverage synergies to optimize stakeholder value' says very little.

Worked example: a city announcement states, 'Residents in the affected catchment should anticipate intermittent potable water service disruptions. ' Many residents will not know catchment or potable. A clearer version: 'People in these neighborhoods may lose safe drinking water at times this week. ' When you evaluate a text, ask who the audience is and whether the jargon helps them understand. When you write, define necessary terms and drop the rest.

• 1Jargon is efficient among experts.
• 2It becomes a barrier with the wrong audience.
• 3Define necessary terms; drop jargon used only to impress.