This Working Life

Will jargon ever be 'phased out' altogether?

Dec 22, 2024
Dr. Howie Manns, a linguistics expert from Monash University, and Zachariah Brown, an assistant professor specializing in jargon at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, tackle the pervasive use of professional jargon. They discuss its dual nature—how it can facilitate communication but also create misunderstandings. The conversation delves into euphemistic language in HR, the influence of sports metaphors in business, and the balance between fostering group identity and ensuring clarity in workplace communication.
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ANECDOTE

Jargon-Filled Email

  • Howie Manns received an email from his marketing department full of jargon.
  • The email requested him to "socialize himself into an activity" he could "actuate," which meant speaking to students.
INSIGHT

Jargon as Storage

  • Jargon acts as a storage system for collective experiences within specific groups or professions.
  • There's good jargon, bad jargon, and jargon that's excessive.
ANECDOTE

Good Jargon Examples

  • Call signs in Top Gun serve as good jargon, fostering camaraderie while minimizing rank differences in the cockpit.
  • "Ducks on the Pond" signals a need to adjust language, originating from Australian shearing sheds.
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