Business Jargon: Should We Use Jargon?
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Business Jargon: Should We Use Jargon?

English Learning, English Vocabulary

Let’s say you’re attending a meeting for the first time in a new workplace, and someone says, “We’ll touch base offline after syncing our KPIs with the new OKRs.”

You blink. Nod politely.

But deep inside, your brain is doing gymnastics trying to decode what was just said.

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re a teacher, a student, a business professional, or just a curious learner, you’ve probably stumbled upon jargon.

And it can be frustrating. Or empowering. Or confusing. Or all three at once.

So, the big question is: Should we use jargon?

Is it helpful shorthand for professionals, or an unnecessary barrier that leaves people out?

Let’s explore this together—with stories from the classroom, insights from research, and some straight talk.

What Is Jargon, Anyway?

Before we dive in, let’s define the term clearly.

Jargon refers to specialized language used by a particular profession, group, or field. It’s like an insider code—efficient if you’re in the know, baffling if you’re not.

Some examples:

  • In education: “scaffolding,” “differentiation,” “summative assessment”

  • In medicine: “stat,” “hypertension,” “CBC”

  • In tech: “debug,” “API,” “UI/UX”

Jargon isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it serves a real purpose: to communicate complex ideas quickly and precisely within a group.

But (and this is key)… it can also exclude, confuse, or even intimidate people who aren’t familiar with the terms.

My Classroom Story: When Jargon Got in the Way

Let me tell you a story from my early teaching days.

I was giving feedback to a new English language learner on her writing. I said, “Try to vary your sentence structures and avoid passive voice where possible.” She nodded, but her eyes said, “Huh?”

Later, she told me she didn’t know what “passive voice” meant—and had felt too shy to ask. That moment stuck with me. I had meant well, but I’d unintentionally put up a barrier instead of building a bridge.

From then on, I made it a rule: Always explain the term or give an example—even if I think it’s ‘basic.’

Because here’s the thing: what’s jargon to one person is everyday language to another.

When Jargon Works (And When It Doesn’t)

Jargon isn’t the villain. It’s a tool. The real issue is how, when, and with whom you use it.

Let’s break it down:

✅ When Jargon Can Be Useful

Among professionals in the same field.

    • It speeds up communication. Instead of saying, “We need to adapt the lesson for students with different needs,” a teacher might say, “Let’s differentiate.”

    • It shows expertise and shared understanding.

In technical writing or research.

    • In scientific papers, precise terms reduce ambiguity.

    • Example: saying “mitochondrial dysfunction” instead of “the cells aren’t working well” adds accuracy.

When the audience is familiar with the terminology.

❌ When Jargon Becomes a Problem

When it excludes or confuses others.

    • Research from the University of Oregon (2016) showed that excessive jargon in academic writing makes people perceive the author as less credible. Why? Because readers feel lost.

In public communication or teaching.

    • Ever sat through a lecture where the speaker used “eduspeak” like “curricular alignment with interdisciplinary modalities”? You walk out remembering… nothing.

When it’s used to sound smart rather than be clear.

    • Let’s be honest—sometimes people use jargon to impress, not inform. That’s where trust erodes.

Real-World Fields Where Jargon Rules (and Why)

To understand this better, let’s peek into a few professions.

🩺 Medicine

Doctors use jargon all the time—“tachycardia,” “contraindicated,” “benign.” It helps them communicate fast and clearly in high-stakes situations.

But good doctors also know how to translate it. Imagine telling a patient, “You have hypertension,” and walking away. Better: “Your blood pressure is higher than normal, which can be dangerous if we don’t manage it.”

👩‍💻 Tech

In tech, jargon is practically its own language. “Push to production,” “scrum meeting,” “firewall”… it’s like code for coders.

But when tech experts talk to users or clients, the smart ones switch gears. They decode, not confuse.

🎓 Education

This one’s personal. In education, terms like “formative assessment,” “rubric,” or “Bloom’s taxonomy” are everyday tools. But I’ve seen parents at PTA meetings zone out because the language felt foreign.

We must bridge the gap, not widen it.

Why People Use Jargon (Even When They Shouldn’t)

Here are some honest reasons people use jargon unnecessarily:

  • To sound professional or intelligent

  • Because they assume everyone knows it

  • Out of habit (they don’t realize they’re doing it)

  • To keep things brief (but at the cost of clarity)

None of these make you a bad communicator—but they do mean you might be missing opportunities to connect better.

Tips for Using Jargon the Right Way

So, should we use jargon?

Sometimes, yes. But always with care.

Here’s how to strike the right balance:

1. 👀 Know Your Audience

Quick check: Would everyone in the room understand that term? If not, explain or swap it.

2. ✏️ Define When You Use It

  • The first time you use a term, define it briefly.

  • E.g., “Let’s look at scaffolding—breaking tasks into smaller steps to help learners succeed.”

3. 🤝 Use Examples

  • Nothing beats a good example. If you say “formative assessment,” give one: “like a quick quiz or a class discussion to check understanding.”

4. 🔄 Swap in Plain Language When Possible

  • Say “high blood pressure” instead of “hypertension.”

  • Say “user-friendly design” instead of “intuitive UI.”

The goal isn’t to dumb down—it’s to open up.

5. 💡 Use Jargon to Teach Jargon

  • I often introduce new terms on purpose—but I teach them. That way, students build their vocabulary while staying confident.

Let’s Talk Ethics and Inclusion

There’s a deeper layer here too—accessibility and fairness.

If we use language that only some people understand:

  • We exclude those from different backgrounds or education levels.

  • We create power dynamics (who’s “in the know” vs. who’s not).

  • We make people feel small, even if unintentionally.

Clear language is not just good teaching—it’s ethical communication.

And as George Orwell once said, “Never use a long word where a short one will do.”

What If You Have to Use Jargon?

Sometimes jargon is necessary. You can’t teach chemistry without “covalent bonds.” You can’t discuss education policy without “curriculum mapping.”

So what do you do?

Teach the terms.
Contextualize them.
Repeat and reinforce.
Check understanding.

One of my favorite teaching tricks is to ask students to explain the term in their own words. It builds mastery—and reveals where clarity is still needed.

Limitations and Alternatives

Of course, not everything can be perfectly simplified. Some ideas are meant to be complex.

And some people—especially in academic or technical fields—may actually prefer jargon as it lends precision to their work.

The key is flexibility.

  • In a research paper? Use jargon—but define it.

  • In a meeting with mixed audiences? Go for clarity.

  • Talking to a patient, student, or customer? Speak their language.

It’s not about dumbing down—it’s about lifting others up.

A Quick Jargon-to-Plain-English Cheat Sheet

Jargon Plain English
Scaffolding Breaking tasks into smaller steps
Hypertension High blood pressure
UX/UI How easy something is to use/look at
Formative assessment A check to see how students are doing
KPI A goal or performance measure
Stat (medical) Immediately
Cognitive load How much your brain is trying to handle

Feel free to share this with your team or students!

Conclusion

Yes—but wisely.

Jargon is a powerful tool. It helps experts talk shop. It gives fields their vocabulary. It can even make communication faster.

But when it becomes a barrier instead of a bridge—it’s time to step back and rethink.

So here’s my advice:

👉 Use jargon when it helps, not when it hides.
👉 Translate terms for your audience.
👉 Prioritize clarity over complexity.
👉 Teach the words that matter, and explain them well.
👉 And above all—be kind with your language.

Because the goal isn’t just to sound smart.

The goal is to make others feel smart, too.

What about you?

Have you ever struggled with jargon—or used it without realizing?

Share your experience in the comments! Let’s learn from each other.

And if you’re a teacher or trainer, feel free to adapt this post for your next workshop. Clear communication is everyone’s business.

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