Section C the other stuff Flashcards
Jargon Part 1
The jargon of any domain signals the shared knowledge, expertise, sense of belonging that is created by the use of this sociolect. The specialised lexis associated with a discrete activity, profession or group, jargon facilitates efficient, effective, economical and precise communication; it supports the communicative needs of the group and contributes to group identity and solidarity. -
Within the domain of medicine, shared
understanding of the intialisms ‘ABG’, ‘ACL’, ‘TIA’ and ‘CHF’ facilitate effortless communication. Similarily, Wine makers use noun phrases like ‘yeast isolates’ and ‘single species ferments’ to communicate easily and efficiently. Those with a passion for origami understand that the common nouns
‘petal’, ‘pleat’ and ‘pocket’ carry very precise semantics within the domain that are not shared with those outside the domain.
This jargon builds group identity, includes and creates a strong sense of solidarity for insiders
Jargon 2
However, jargon is equally capable of excluding and being perceived by outsiders as vacuously pretentious, pedantic and divorced from meaning. For some individuals, the jargon is simply incomprehensible – merely Watson’s “Weasel Words” rather than carrying meaning. Linguist, Kate Burridge, understands that jargon “facilitates communication on one hand, but erects quite successful communication barriers on the other”. Williams Boag Architects uses the jargon of its professional domain to reflect its, expertise, knowledge and proficiency. The noun phrases ‘“fit for purposes design solutions”, “major project delivery capacity” and “passive and active design strategies” may appear ‘gibberish’ (Pinker) to the outsider. For potential clients, however, WBa’s fluency with the language of architecture and the reflection of a professional identity would be reassuring and affirming. As Stephen Fry posits “it is not exclusivity; it is precision”. A powerful mechanism for both inclusion and exclusion, jargon is a feature of language that requires careful use when negotiating social interaction
Discriminatory Language (update to include Mark Latham and then split into two)
Language is a powerful tool within contemporary Australian society. Through language, individuals can be included or excluded, can be undermined or belittled, can be hurt or wounded. The use of racist language in the public domain, such as in the AFL not only breaches the negative face of the person being attacked but
also those who are around the interaction or see the online messages. Michael Walters and Michael Frederick, both skilled AFL players for Fremantle, were subject to online racist vilification in July 2022 following their defeat of St Kilda. Both men were subject to a raft of slurs, stereotypes and racially fuelled
comments as well as being repeatedly called a ‘dog’. Walters, a Noongar man, received messages that labelled him a ‘black a** dog’ and wrote ‘I hope you die you petrol sniffing ct’. Frederick, who is of South Sudanese descent received a deranged tirade of abuse that lasted five messages. The statements made by the Instagram user were disgusting reading - ‘you stupid black n** slve piece of sht!’, ‘come scrub my feet and wash my floors you black dog’, ‘go fetch your family some clean water ct’ and ‘your family is
starving c’ - displaying a horrifying and erroneous assumption of superiority over Frederick because of his race. These messages are a shocking reminder of the racism that still exists. As a result, many AFL clubs surfaced to signal their disgust with the behaviour and to express their solidarity and unity with the players: ‘unacceptable behaviour’ (Melbourne FC) and ‘horrific behaviour’ (Essendon FC) were two of the responses that appeared on social media to condemn this abuse. Contemporary Australian society is making significant
progress every day for diversity and equality; this discriminatory language is a harsh reminder of the strength of these words and their ability to tear apart communities and marginalise individuals.
pc
Politically correct language seeks to be inclusive and endeavours to redress the injustices, offence and pain caused by past discriminatory or manipulatory language in order to promote social harmony and uphold contemporary views. In the People with Disabilities Australia guide to language use, the noun phrase ‘autistic person’ is deemed insensitive, and the alternative’ people with autism’, is offered as a ‘healthy expansion of moral concern’ (Chomsky). Because the noun ‘people’ comes first, and ‘autism’ is used as a noun in the prepositional phrase as the indirect object, this language choice softens the connection between a person and their disability, to avoid labelling and creating social marginalisation. Such a concerted effort to uphold face needs and promote social harmony reflects a contemporary societal goal of promoting inclusion. As a way to ‘dismantle biases’ (#WordsAtWork), altering our language choices by being politically correct can enable us to connect meaningfully with others while maintaining face needs. However, in the case where language is not used carefully, words can wound.
racism
For example, on 9 July 2022, after Fremantle dockers defeated St Kilda, Michael Walters and Michael Frederick, two key Fremantle players, were subjected to a raft of slurs, stereotypes and racially-fuelled comments on social media. Being called a ‘black arse dog’, sent messages like’ I hope you die you petrol sniffing ct’ and being told to ‘go fetch your family some clean water you ct’, represents a vile attempt to cause harm. These athletes were ‘vilified in a cowardly way’ (Dockers CEO, Simon Garlick). Breaching social expectations and destroying any sense of upholding face needs, the ‘obscene… cruel, demeaning and degrading’ messages (Dockers President Dale Alcock) prompted investigation by the AFL and police. Clearly, these racist language choices reflects the users’ erroneous assumptions of superiority and were deliberately used to degrade and belittle Fredrick and Walters, striking at their sense of identity and cultural pride. Such harmful language feeds stereotypes and promotes prejudices which are unacceptable in contemporary society. The community strives to uphold diversity and equality; this discriminatory language is a harsh reminder of the strength of racist words and their ability to tear apart communities and marginalise individuals.
doublespeak
Reflecting the technical language of the domain of local council infrastructure planning, the jargon encountered in ‘Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037’ is intended to build trust in the authorities responsible and reflect their expertise and experience. While the language choices may well be shared by those within the domain, densely constructed noun phrases such as ‘the financial viability, use and activation of existing community infrastructure ’ and ‘current and future gaps in community infrastructure provision’ could easily alienate the very people they are attempting to reassure. In this way, these more jargonistic choices may function, as Harold Pinter suggests, as ‘an instrument of concealment than revelation’.
Rio Tinto Doublespeak and jargon Part 1
In its 2022 Climate Change Report, Rio Tinto, a multinational metals and mining corporation, employed multisyllabic lexemes, densely constructed noun phrases and jargon to project its commitment to an environmentally sustainable future. ‘We will only invest in quality assets which will give robust returns under a range of economic, geopolitical and carbon scenarios, creating a resilient portfolio with significant upside to the energy transition.’ The listing of multisyllabic adjectives in the noun phrase ‘a range of economic, geopolitical and carbon scenarios’ followed by the non-finite dependent clause are deliberately selected to present Rio Tinto’s ‘genuine’ dedication to decarbonisation. This commitment is further enhanced by the use of the modal verb ‘will’ suggesting a high degree of certainty and an assurance of Rio Tinto’s pledge to decarbonise.
Rio Tinto Doublespeak and jargon Part 2
However, in a deft display of doublespeak and deception, the report includes small print at the end of the document detailing ‘forward looking statements’ which include verbs such as ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘should’ and ‘will’. In what can only be described as a thousand words of Pinker’s ‘bafflegab’, Rio Tinto ambiguously explains that because of ‘unknown risks and uncertainties’ it can’t be held to any commitments made using ‘forward looking statements’. The small print effectively nullifies the multinational’s assurances around decarbonisation. The language choices of Rio Tinto are, as Harold Pinter suggests, ‘more often an instrument of concealment than revelation.’
Sentinel events
Following the publication of an August 2023 report detailing an increase in preventable deaths due to doctors ignoring parental concerns, Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, apologised to Victorian families for the increasing number of injured or dead children. In her apology, she navigated the taboo topic by employing euphemism, describing the unnecessary deaths and harm as “sentinel events”. The careful employment of this noun phrase mitigates the loaded topic of children’s deaths and injuries and prevents any potential social division that could be caused by portraying herself as indifferent or not acknowledging the serious nature of the matter
