I read the following article in the Sunday Times yesterday and had to comment!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6493420.ece
Different groups do have their own jargon; I know that there is syntax and specific words for music; some of which are universally used to describe how to perform a particular piece of music. This vocabulary and the signs are part of the knowledge a young musician learns as part of his or her musical development, so that s/he can interpret music and composers. However, the music profession has been very good, in recent years, to 'demystify' this aspect of music, to ensure it isn't viewed as being 'elitist'.
Likewise the medical profession; which of course requires high levels of knowledge and expertise, has 'jargon' and a language appropriate for it's profession. Visiting the GP as a child was an extraordinary experience with GPs speaking to you as if you were an alien. Times have changed; again, the profession has addressed this issue and GPs and medical students are trained to communicate clearly with patients.
Why then does the Government: and Local Government speak in a more 'jargon filled' way? Speaking to teachers, they feel that they require an interpreter for some of the directives they receive from the Government. Not only does it add additional stress but it devalues their status as professionals and experts at teaching.
Possibly the Government is trying to 'put wool over our eyes' so that we don't fully comprehend what is being said. By making simple issues appear complicated, it adds power to them....
My message to you, readers, is that if you wish to engage with customers, audiences and clients, try to speak their language, or modify your existing jargon, so that they will understand. Certainly at Executive Voice, we have modified complicated technical language, and created easy to understand models and analogies to support clients. Good luck.
For more information contact Executive Voice http//:www.executivevoice.co.uk
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6493420.ece
Different groups do have their own jargon; I know that there is syntax and specific words for music; some of which are universally used to describe how to perform a particular piece of music. This vocabulary and the signs are part of the knowledge a young musician learns as part of his or her musical development, so that s/he can interpret music and composers. However, the music profession has been very good, in recent years, to 'demystify' this aspect of music, to ensure it isn't viewed as being 'elitist'.
Likewise the medical profession; which of course requires high levels of knowledge and expertise, has 'jargon' and a language appropriate for it's profession. Visiting the GP as a child was an extraordinary experience with GPs speaking to you as if you were an alien. Times have changed; again, the profession has addressed this issue and GPs and medical students are trained to communicate clearly with patients.
Why then does the Government: and Local Government speak in a more 'jargon filled' way? Speaking to teachers, they feel that they require an interpreter for some of the directives they receive from the Government. Not only does it add additional stress but it devalues their status as professionals and experts at teaching.
Possibly the Government is trying to 'put wool over our eyes' so that we don't fully comprehend what is being said. By making simple issues appear complicated, it adds power to them....
My message to you, readers, is that if you wish to engage with customers, audiences and clients, try to speak their language, or modify your existing jargon, so that they will understand. Certainly at Executive Voice, we have modified complicated technical language, and created easy to understand models and analogies to support clients. Good luck.
For more information contact Executive Voice http//:www.executivevoice.co.uk
.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment