Jargon and psuedo Jargon

Question 1

What is jargon as defined by Crystal (1997)?

Answer 1

‘Jargon is specialised vocabulary used by a particular group often linked with a profession or field’

Question 2

What are common features of jargon?

Answer 2

Clippings
Acronyms
Initialisms
Semantic precision
Affixation
Latin/Greek derivation
Complex sentences

Question 3

What did Swales discuss as a key positive purpose of jargon?

Answer 3

Efficient communication of complex ideas to create ‘shared repertoire’

Question 4

Eckert claims that another positive purpose of jargon is…

Answer 4

it creates group identity and solidarity

Question 5

How do Goffman’s ideas of face link to jargon?

Answer 5

The use of jargon is often a display of expertise

Question 6

What negative aspect of jargon use did Fairclough discuss?

Answer 6

It has an exclusionary purpose alienating others not in the group often amplifying pre-existing power dynamics

Question 7

What is obfuscation and who claimed that jargon sometimes serves this role?

Answer 7

This is when the meaning of a thing is obscured by unneeded complexity and was discussed by Lakoff in relation to jargon

Question 8

Aitchison discussed pseudo-jargon, what does she mean by this?

Answer 8

When jargon is used to assert power or to exclude others and no longer serves a purpose of semantic precision it becomes false or pseudo