TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: Use of jargon (was: The Illuminating Question)
Subject:Re: Use of jargon (was: The Illuminating Question) From:Barbara Roll <broll -at- MICROSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 14 Jul 1998 08:03:51 -0700
Jeroen Hendrix writes:
"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."
One caution: In the software industry, we have a tendency to make up jargon
as we go. If your documentation will be localized, keep in mind that jargon,
especially new jargon, makes a localizer's life difficult, which means your
localization costs increase. If you use jargon in documents that will be
localized, make sure the terminology is used and understood worldwide.