Saturday, March 13, 2010

Blue sky thinking?

I've talked about the fact that language is an ever-developing tool before, and now it's cropped up again in relation to jargon. The Local Government Association has come up with its latest list of "impenetrable phrases" which are in use in its offices - words like "webinar" (a seminar conduced over the internet), and "wellderly" (older people who are still healthy). And yet, jargon has its place - both the examples cited say in one word what it would otherwise take half-a-dozen or more words to say. The problem with jargon is not that it exists, it's the danger that it will be used outside those "in the know" to whom it will make no sense. Provided its use is restricted to those who will understand it, I can't see a problem, and many jargon words and phrases from the past have come into everyday use, like "lift-off" and "thinking outside the box", and what about all those jargon abbreviations so beloved of texters and e-mailers - IMHO perfectly acceptable if you know the other person is going to understand them.

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