The Use and Abuse of Jargon in Business and Society

Jargon can be a useful tool for professionals to communicate complex ideas succinctly. However, the problem arises when jargon is used to inflate vague ideas or to hide lazy thinking. In today’s society, we are drowning in jargon and consulting BS, from business to politics and even religion. In this article, we will explore the dangers of jargon and how we can take steps to demand clearer communication.

The Addiction of Jargon

Jargon is addictive. It creates a sense of belonging and expertise within a group of individuals who share a skill or profession. It allows for quick and precise communication that avoids lengthy explanations or misunderstandings. Doctors, lawyers, and engineers can all converse with confidence because they share a common language of jargon that is specific to their field.

However, jargon becomes problematic when it is used outside of these specific contexts. When jargon is used in situations where the speaker knows that the audience is not familiar with the terms, it creates a barrier to communication. Moreover, it can cause confusion and misunderstandings, leading to poor decision-making.

The Spread of Jargon

The use of jargon is not restricted to the medical or legal profession. It has now spread to the world of business and politics, where it is often used intentionally to inflate vague ideas or to hide lazy thinking. Business consultants, in particular, are infamous for using jargon to make themselves sound like experts to non-expert audiences.

Politicians, too, are guilty of abusing language to confuse or deceive. The need to hide lazy thinking or to please special interests is often the driving force behind the use of jargon. In a world dominated by media pundits and politicians trying to sound good without being dangerous, it is hardly surprising that jargon is spreading like a pandemic.

The Danger of Jargon

Jargon has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from schools to churches, making communication more difficult than it needs to be. It has become so commonplace that people have started using it in their personal lives as well. This is because we have decided to live in an economy, not a society, and language that was once reserved for the boardroom has now become part of everyday vocabulary.

The danger of jargon lies in its ability to create a veneer of expertise while masking a lack of understanding or knowledge. It can also create a power dynamic where the speaker appears more knowledgeable than the audience, leading to unequal relationships. Furthermore, it creates confusion, misunderstanding, and even mistrust between individuals.

How to Combat Jargon

The answer to combatting jargon lies in our own hands. We must demand clear communication and refuse to accept vague, meaningless terms from others. It is essential to insist on saying what we mean in plain language, even when it’s not the norm in our profession.

Marketers are some of the worst offenders when it comes to using jargon. They believe that consumers are taken in by meaningless claims such as “customer-centric” or “quality-driven.” It’s time to make it clear that we’re not fooled by these false claims. We demand honest, understandable language backed up by clear and meaningful action.

Conclusion

Jargon can be a useful tool for professionals to communicate complex ideas succinctly. However, jargon must be used appropriately, and it should never be used to inflate vague ideas or hide lazy thinking. We must take steps to demand clear communication and refuse to accept imprecise language. Ultimately, clear language is the most powerful tool we have to build trust, create relationships, and effect meaningful change.