Skip to main content

Where do jargons go when we have said them?

Scientifically, jargons are basically words and words, they are just sounds that are created from the vibration of your voice box. These soundwaves decay as they spread out and get reflected or refracted. Basically, words dissolve back into the infinite potential of the air that was used to create them. But that’s not what we are here for, right? This is the first example of why not to use jargon when not needed.




We can’t emphasize more on the fact that you must avoid jargons, the prominence is apparent in our brand’s name. If you have come across the Forbes’ The Most Annoying, Pretentious and Useless Business Jargon you might be also aware of your subconscious contribution to this problem. It has ingrained itself in our brains.

Let’s get inside the mind of someone who throws jargon like Oprah gives out cars. For a sentence as simple as, “jargons are unnecessary, ” a pretentious jargon user might say, “terminology that stays of least significance remain unwelcome.” It doesn’t matter to whom one is catering to. For a person of least intelligence, vocabulary stays insignificant and for a person of higher IQ, it would be easy for them to spot the conscious use of unnecessary jargon. From a writer’s perspective, it is probable that they use jargon to blanket the fact that they have run out of content and need to hide that inadequacy.

The less is more approach applies to language as well, simplification must always result in a more focused product and the chances of miscommunication will be nullified. Since examples work better for explaining better, we will use more of that. A classic example of the vulnerability of words is the fact that we always interchange the meanings of Branding, Marketing, and Advertising. They overlap, sure, but they are most definitely not the same thing.

Moral of the story, jargon is called so for a reason. They are used for a specific reason, in the absence of which they must not be used. The title of this piece was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s piece titled ‘Procedures for Unknown’ where she has questioned, “Where do words go after we have said them?” and we ask the same, where do they go? Jargons are quick escapes from conveying an accurate message.

Atwood is also the one who has conclusively said, “War is what happens when language fails.”

We can’t emphasize more on the fact that you must avoid jargons, the prominence is apparent in our brand’s name. If you have come across the Forbes’ The Most Annoying, Pretentious and Useless Business Jargon you might be also aware of your subconscious contribution to this problem. It has ingrained itself in our brains.

Let’s get inside the mind of someone who throws jargons like Oprah gives out cars. For a sentence as simple as, “jargons are unnecessary, ” a pretentious jargon user might say, “terminology that stays of least significance remain unwelcome.” It doesn’t matter to whom one is catering to. For a person of least intelligence, vocabulary stays insignificant and for a person of higher IQ, it would be easy for them to spot the conscious use of unnecessary jargons. From a writer’s perspective, it is probable that they use jargons to blanket the fact that they have run out of content and need to hide that inadequacy.

The less is more approach applies to language as well, simplification must always result in a more focused product and the chances of miscommunication will be nullified. Since examples work better for explaining better, we will use more of that. A classic example of the vulnerability of words is the fact that we always interchange the meanings of Branding, Marketing and Advertising. They overlap, sure, but they are most definitely not the same thing.

Moral of the story, jargons are called so for a reason. They are used for a specific reason, in absence of which they must not be used. The title of this piece was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s piece titled ‘Procedures for Unknown’ where she has questioned, “Where do words go after we have said them?” and we ask the same, where do they go? Jargons are quick escapes from conveying an accurate message.
Atwood is also the one who has conclusively said, “War is what happens when language fails.”
We can’t emphasize more on the fact that you must avoid jargons, the prominence is apparent in our brand’s name. If you have come across the Forbes’ The Most Annoying, Pretentious and Useless Business Jargon you might be also aware of your subconscious contribution to this problem. It has ingrained itself in our brains.

Let’s get inside the mind of someone who throws jargons like Oprah gives out cars. For a sentence as simple as, “jargons are unnecessary, ” a pretentious jargon user might say, “terminology that stays of least significance remain unwelcome.” It doesn’t matter to whom one is catering to. For a person of least intelligence, vocabulary stays insignificant and for a person of higher IQ, it would be easy for them to spot the conscious use of unnecessary jargons. From a writer’s perspective, it is probable that they use jargons to blanket the fact that they have run out of content and need to hide that inadequacy.

The less is more approach applies to language as well, simplification must always result in a more focused product and the chances of miscommunication will be nullified. Since examples work better for explaining better, we will use more of that. A classic example of the vulnerability of words is the fact that we always interchange the meanings of Branding, Marketing and Advertising. They overlap, sure, but they are most definitely not the same thing.

Moral of the story, jargons are called so for a reason. They are used for a specific reason, in absence of which they must not be used. The title of this piece was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s piece titled ‘Procedures for Unknown’ where she has questioned, “Where do words go after we have said them?” and we ask the same, where do they go? Jargons are quick escapes from conveying an accurate message.
Atwood is also the one who has conclusively said, “War is what happens when language fails.”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Where do I go to, a studio or an agency?

A business needs a name which is not necessarily supposed to describe how it works and sometimes mixing the two may lead to confusion. A poor first name is a different story altogether, but what about the second name? Adding a second name like 'consultancies' or 'media' going to make things easier for a potential customer to understand what you do, right? Adding a second name like 'consultancies' or 'media' going to make things easier for a potential customer to understand what you do, right? Depends. It could be the case that using familiar words make it relatable and hence gives an idea about what the company does but they could also end up creating a sense of ambiguity if they're thrown around haphazardly. If the aim is to position a company in a very specific field of work, then yes. To differentiate between Apollo Tyres from Apollo Pharmacy we're entirely dependant on the second name to understand what market they operate in....

How to reject investors like a pro (What!? and Why?)

It is important to get the ‘right’ investor because you don’t just need a capital source but an investor who is able to contribute a lot more than their dollars. Hey, it’s n ot like you are standing in front of all the sharks who are fighting to invest in your idea. But rejecting the wrong investors will prove profitable for your firm in the longer run. If you are asking yourself the question “Is my idea worth rejecting investors?” Yes, it is. And if not, then you should consider rejecting the idea before you reject the investor. Your choice can turn your dreams into realities or nightmares. You have to think about the advantages with a futuristic approach- both financially and otherwise. Now let’s discuss this otherwise first. The Apple story you have not heard It is 1971 and Bill Fernandez introduces Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. These brilliant minds meet and decide to build something that would change the history of substantially everything that is today. Now ...

The secret to a good client-designer relationship

Is the client really over-expecting or is the designer failing them?   Date:  April 22, 2020 at 2:44:05 AM PST From:  Michael Scott <mike@tantrum.com> To:  all@slangbusters.com Subject:  Design changes Hey, This is regarding our call yesterday. I loved the presentation you did for the identity of my brand, and although I said I liked all the elements and we are good to go, I was pondering last night after the presentation and I would like some changes. Let me know when can we schedule a call to discuss some concepts I have in mind. Best, Mike Date:  April 22, 2020 at 3:02:25 AM PST From:  Michael Scott <mike@tantrum.com> To:  all@slangbusters.com Subject:  Re: Design changes You know what, let me give you the inputs here only, I might forget later, and this will keep the conversation in the records. So the iconography, I feel is too unrecognizable? I would like moe Apple-esque round edges. Date:  April 22, 2020 at 3:06:01 AM ...