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Re: Use of jargon (was: The Illuminating Question)
Subject:Re: Use of jargon (was: The Illuminating Question) From:"Porrello, Leonard" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- TANDEM -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 14 Jul 1998 07:56:10 -0500
Jeroen,
The appeal to Webster's is ok. However, my dictionary (_The American
Heritage_) lists as Jargon's first definition: "Nonsensical or incoherent
talk." I think that market-speak is what is meant when someone says that we
should avoid jargon. For instance, the marketing buzz phrase here is
"functionality." It is both unnecessary and rather ugly.
Your point about audience is well put.
Leonard
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeroen Hendrix [SMTP:jhe -at- MEDIASYS -dot- NL]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 1998 3:56 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Use of jargon (was: The Illuminating Question)
>
> Bernie McCann wrote:
> > The recent example given in the correct usage of terminology for lamps
> seemed,
> > by one or two people, as a waste of time. I'm sure that we all know
> that
> > correct terminology must be used at all times, just as the use of
> jargon
> > should be avoided, ....<SNIP>
>
> I have to disagree with the latter.
> As Webster states, Jargon is: the language, esp. the vocabulary,
> peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group: medical jargon.
>
> This implies that when we write for a specific target audience, we
> should use the terms the readers use to refer to their reality. Using
> the apropriate jargon makes ensures understanding and thus
> communication. Using the jargon is using the correct terminology. As
> tech writer you should study your audience, including their lingo, to
> optimize your writing.
>
> regards,
>
> Jeroen Hendrix
> Technical Communications
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