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What is a Jargon?
Grade Level:
Class 2
NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication
Definition
What is it?
A jargon is a special word or phrase used by a particular group of people, like doctors or computer experts. These words are often hard for outsiders to understand because they are specific to that field. Think of it as secret code for a certain job or hobby.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine your cricket coach tells the team, 'We need to bowl a maiden over in the powerplay!' If you don't play cricket, you might not know what 'maiden over' or 'powerplay' means. These are jargon words for cricket.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
Let's say your dad is talking to his friend who works in IT (Information Technology). Your dad says, 'My laptop's RAM is low, so I need to upgrade to an SSD.' His friend understands perfectly, but you might be confused.
---1. Identify the difficult words: 'RAM' and 'SSD'.
---2. Think about who is speaking: People who work with computers.
---3. Realize these words are specific to computers and technology.
---4. Conclude that 'RAM' (Random Access Memory) and 'SSD' (Solid State Drive) are jargon from the IT field.
---ANSWER: RAM and SSD are jargon.
Why It Matters
Understanding jargon helps you communicate better in different situations, from reading news to understanding instructions. It's crucial for careers in journalism, law, medicine, and even game development, where precise language is key to doing your job well and being understood.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Thinking all difficult words are jargon. | CORRECTION: Jargon isn't just a difficult word; it's a word specific to a certain group or field. A difficult word might be generally hard, but jargon is hard because you're outside the 'group'.
MISTAKE: Using jargon when talking to people who don't understand it. | CORRECTION: Always try to explain jargon or use simpler words when speaking to someone who isn't part of that specific group, so everyone can understand.
MISTAKE: Confusing jargon with slang. | CORRECTION: Slang is informal language, often trendy, used by a social group (like 'lit' or 'chill'). Jargon is formal or technical language used in a specific profession or field.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: Your doctor says, 'You have a viral infection, so we'll prescribe an antibiotic.' Which word is incorrectly used as jargon here? | ANSWER: Antibiotics are for bacterial infections, not viral. So, 'antibiotic' is jargon but used incorrectly in this context.
QUESTION: Identify the jargon in this sentence: 'The lawyer asked the witness to provide a sworn affidavit.' | ANSWER: Sworn affidavit.
QUESTION: Your teacher says, 'Please submit your assignments before the EOD.' What does 'EOD' mean in this context, and is it jargon? Explain. | ANSWER: EOD stands for 'End Of Day'. Yes, it is jargon because it's a specific abbreviation used in professional or work settings to mean the close of business hours, not literally when the sun sets.
MCQ
Quick Quiz
Which of these is an example of jargon?
The sky is blue.
Please pass the salt.
The surgeon performed a 'laparoscopy'.
My friend is very happy.
The Correct Answer Is:
C
Option C, 'laparoscopy', is a medical term specific to surgeons and doctors, making it jargon. The other options are common everyday phrases.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
When you watch a news debate on TV, especially about economics or politics, you often hear words like 'fiscal deficit' or 'monetary policy'. These are jargon used by economists and politicians. Also, when an auto mechanic talks about your car's 'carburetor' or 'spark plugs', they are using jargon specific to their trade.
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
TECHNICAL: Related to a specific subject, art, or craft. | PROFESSION: A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification. | COMMUNICATION: The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. | FIELD: A particular area of study or activity.
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Now that you understand jargon, you can explore 'Context Clues'. Learning about context clues will help you guess the meaning of unfamiliar words, including jargon, by looking at the other words around them. This will make you an even better reader!
