When texting your friends do you speak in initials that only you will understand? When relating to a group of friends at a gathering do you reference lines from movies and tv shows that are funny to your group. Communicating this way with people in the know is great but for those of us newbies to the group it can become an unseen barrier. Once you have read this article please share your comments as well as any insight you may have to breaking through this very common communication barrier……

Sometimes our business letters, memos and e-mails fail to
communicate our message because we put up barriers between the messag
and the reader’s mind. One of those barriers is inappropriate use of
jargon.

One of the main barriers to business communication, both in writing and in speech, is the inappropriate use of jargon.

Is the reader a member of your company, your organization, your
industry or profession? If so, a certain amount of jargon may be
appropriate. After all, jargon comes into being simply because it is
often the best means of communication among members of a particular
group.

The problem arises, however, when we forget that a reader is
outside the group, and may not understand our special language. Jargon
is a special type of “insider” language designed to communicate easily
with other members of a group. So there’s no reason why outsiders
should know your jargon.

They won’t necessarily tell you they don’t understand because,
ironically, they think they should know! So because of inappropriate
language, the message is lost and communication breaks down.

Imagine a cocktail party conversation involving a doctor, a
lawyer, an engineer, a plumber, a commercial printer and a rock
musician - all using their own professional jargon. What a confusing
noise that would produce!That’s exactly the effect you create when you
use your professional jargon, your own special “in” language, to
readers outside the group. They won’t understand, and if they don’t
understand the words you use, you have thrown up a major barrier to
communication.

Helen’s Jargon ChallengeTake a sheet of paper and divide it
into two columns. Down the left column, list as many of your own jargon
terms as you can remember. Keep the list beside you for a few days and
add to it as you think of terms. Now, in the right column, opposite
each jargon term write a plain language substitute. I don’t mean an
explanation, but a word or phrase you could actually use in place of
the jargon.

If you use a lot of acronyms or initials, don’t just write them
out in full - sometimes the full phrase is still jargon! Make sure your
“translation” is something that outsiders could understand. If in
doubt, ask one or two people from outside your field if they understand
the words, and if they don’t, keep editing until they do.

Now make a point of using these plain language equivalent words
and phrases any time you are writing or speaking to anyone outside the
group that uses your jargon. You just multiplied the chances of your
message being received and understood!

About the Author

Helen Wilkie is a professional keynote
speaker, workshop leader, consultant and author, specializing in
communication at work. Let Helen help you improve your writing—and your
career prospects! Get your free multi-media writing lesson now at http://www.business-writing-course-on-cd.com

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