Re: Jargon... LO3154

Barry Mallis (bmallis@quickmail.markem.com)
13 Oct 1995 09:39:18 -0400

Replying to LO3144 --

I'd like to add to Barbara Murphy's contribution to this list. Welcome,
Barbara.

Jargon, as we are well aware, can be used as an exclusionary device.
Regarding those who unconsciously wrap their communication in jargon, at
least one hypothesis about jargon use is this:

Jargon makes working adults feel they are more intelligent, have arrived
at intellectual maturity of some sort, are worthy of recognition for an
explicit "intelligence", are "complex" humans capable of complex thought
processes where jargon is manifested. It is the weave of these and other
characteristics which forms the cloth surrounding our natures.

I do not wish to detract from what positive characteristics there are in
the use of jargon in communication. Everything in measure.

--
Barry Mallis
bmallis@markem.com