What is Jargon?

S2-SA4-0284

Grade Level:

Class 2

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

Jargon refers to special words or expressions used by a particular profession or group that are difficult for others to understand. Think of it as a secret language used within a specific field, like doctors talking to each other or lawyers using specific terms.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your cricket coach says, 'The batsman played a classic cover drive.' If you don't play cricket, 'cover drive' might be jargon to you. But if you know cricket, you understand exactly what shot he means.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's understand jargon using a common scenario:

Step 1: Your elder brother, who is studying computer science, says, 'My laptop's RAM is low, so I need to clear the cache.'
---Step 2: You hear 'RAM' and 'cache'. These words sound technical and you don't know what they mean.
---Step 3: You ask him, 'What are RAM and cache?'
---Step 4: He explains, 'RAM is like the temporary memory where the computer keeps things it's actively using, and cache is a small, super-fast memory that stores frequently used data to make things quicker.'
---Step 5: For him, 'RAM' and 'cache' are everyday terms in computer science. For you, they were jargon until he explained them.
---Answer: 'RAM' and 'cache' were jargon from the field of computer science.

Why It Matters

Understanding jargon helps you communicate better and learn new things, whether you're reading a newspaper or listening to a news report. It's important for careers like journalism, law, and even in daily conversations with experts, allowing you to grasp complex ideas easily.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking all difficult words are jargon. | CORRECTION: Jargon is specific to a group or field. A difficult word might just be a complex vocabulary word, not necessarily jargon.

MISTAKE: Using jargon when talking to someone outside your field, expecting them to understand. | CORRECTION: Always explain technical terms or avoid them when talking to a general audience, so everyone can follow along.

MISTAKE: Believing jargon is always bad and should never be used. | CORRECTION: Jargon is useful for quick, precise communication within a specific group. It only becomes a problem when used with outsiders without explanation.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Your mom says, 'The auto-rickshaw driver took the scenic route.' Is 'scenic route' jargon in this context? | ANSWER: No, 'scenic route' is generally understood as a route with nice views, not a specialized term specific to a group.

QUESTION: A doctor tells another doctor, 'The patient has severe bradycardia.' What is the jargon here? | ANSWER: 'Bradycardia' is jargon. It's a medical term for a slow heart rate, used by doctors.

QUESTION: You are watching a news report about the stock market. The reporter says, 'The Sensex saw a bullish trend today.' Which word is jargon and what does it likely mean in this context? | ANSWER: 'Bullish' is jargon. In the stock market, a 'bullish trend' means prices are expected to rise.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following is an example of jargon?

Eating lunch

Playing cricket

A lawyer using 'habeas corpus' in court

Reading a book

The Correct Answer Is:

Option C, 'habeas corpus,' is a specific legal term used within the legal profession, making it jargon. The other options are everyday activities.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you hear news about the Indian economy, you might hear terms like 'GDP' (Gross Domestic Product) or 'inflation.' These are economic jargon. Also, when you talk to a mechanic about your bike, they might use terms like 'carburetor' or 'spark plug' – these are mechanical jargon that they understand easily.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

JARGON: Special words used by a group | PROFESSION: A job that requires special training | COMMUNICATION: Exchanging information | TECHNICAL: Relating to a particular subject, art, or skill

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand jargon, you can explore 'Effective Communication.' Knowing how to identify and explain jargon is a big step towards clear and impactful communication with everyone.