Jargon and specialist language

posted Apr 24, 2012 2:34 AM by English Department The Mackay School   [ updated May 14, 2012 7:01 AM by Veronica Cordero ]

Jargon and Specialist Language

Jargon

The Cambridge Dictionary defines jargon as “special words and phrases which are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work.”.  The Oxford Dictionary gives more information about the words and says its origin can be traced back to the late Middle English (originally in the sense 'twittering, chattering', later 'gibberish') it comes from Old French jargon, of unknown origin; the main modern sense dates from the mid 17th Century and it relates to “special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand”
Can you think of some professions in where the use of Jargon is essential?
Are there any professions that do not need it?
How can you differentiate it from everyday English or “slang”? Is it a good idea to use slang instead?
Do you use specialist language on a daily basis?
[Slang: a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people e.g.: grass is slang for marijuana] Definition retrieved from The Oxford Dictionary.
MOVIE LINGO: LOS ANGELES TIME
By looking at the title, what do you think this video is about?
Do you think it's going to be a positive or negative experience for the protagonist?

MOVIE LINGO: LOS ANGELES TIME

What was the main problem the “new guy” faced?  
Can you identify the “jargon” in the video? Do you know what it refers to?
Why is this video advertising a newspaper?
Jargon used in the video
baby/junior: small light
best boy: the person in charge of the electrical department on a movie set
key:  the light that's casting the most light on the actor
cookie: a filter to put over the light to diffuse the beams
pancake: a small wooden board

Jargon vs. Slang
If you are asked to take a stand, which one will you choose? Think on the pros and cons of the two of them. Watch this video from Terminator 2 to get inspired.

TERMINATOR

USING TECHNOLOGY: Watch this prezi to learn about the use of technology in the publishing industry

Using Technology on Prezi

Ready to Debate?
These are the groups
1. Romeu, Leniz  --  Park, Schiefelbein
2. Barriga, Nuñez, Gré  --  Oporto, Reynolds, Kitzing
3. Gastó, Ugarte  --  Urzúa Eidelstein
4. Labra, Eggelin, Hagedorn  --  Jeria, Weitz, Elgueta
5. Macchiavello, Rodríguez  --  Rehbein, García

WRAP-UP: Putting it all together
What to consider beyond the literal meaning of a text (or an image)?

• Narrator or speaker
• Perspective
• Setting
• Characters
• Structure
• Vocabulary and diction
• Imagery
• Tone and atmosphere
• Tension or conflict
• Other relevant features: genre, text type, font size, rhyme, etc