Jargon

Jargon refers to a specialized set of terms and expressions that are associated with a particular profession, industry, or group. While jargon can facilitate specific communication among members of a group, it may also create barriers for outsiders who are not familiar with the terminology. Overuse of jargon can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, or even alienation in broader conversations.

Jargon meaning with examples

• During the project meeting, the engineer's use of technical jargon made it difficult for non-technical team members to follow along. Terms like 'bandwidth' and 'latency' were expected to be understood by all, but many were puzzled and felt excluded from the discussion.
• In the medical field, doctors often rely on medical jargon to convey complex information quickly. However, when explaining a diagnosis to a patient, they must be careful to translate that jargon into layman’s terms to ensure understanding and comfort.
• As an aspiring writer, I attended a workshop where the speaker frequently used literary jargon, such as 'metafiction' and 'intertextuality'. While some attendees were familiar with these concepts, others seemed lost, prompting me to wonder about the accessibility of such language.
• The IT professional was discussing cybersecurity protocols with a group of interns, who were new to the field. Although it was important to address crucial concepts, he realized that his extensive use of jargon led to confusion rather than clarity among the attendees.