English Rewind - 6 Minute English: Jargon

Hello, Catherine here from BBC Learning English.

Just so you know, this programme is from the BBC Learning English archive.

It was originally broadcast in December 2008 on our website.

Enjoy!

Hello, this is 6 Minute English and I'm Yvonne Archer.

And I'm William Kremer. Hello!

Thanks for joining me, William.

Now, today, we're going to do a bit of glossing, play in a few inserts,

and run a few ideas past you. Anything to say, William?

Well, why are you using so much jargon, Yvonne?

Ah, that's because that's the topic of today's programme!

So you'd better explain what 'jargon' is for us.

OK, well, 'jargon' is a noun

that we use for specific groups of words and expressions.

They're only used by people in special or technical situations,

because they are the only people who really understand.

So, for example, 'glossing'?

Yes, 'glossing' basically means 'explaining'.

So really the only people who know what glossing means are people like you and me,

people who teach English over the radio.

So 'glossing' is an example of 'jargon'.

Excellent! Now before we hear more about jargon,

I've got a question for you, William. Are you ready?

No, I'm not ready, but I am feeling brave.

That's what I like to hear.

Which British Prime Minister became known as 'Jack the Jargon Killer',

because he wanted officials to stop using jargon?

Was it a) Tony Blair, b) Winston Churchill, or c) Robert Peel?

I don't know the answer to that question,

but I'm going to go for b) Winston Churchill,

because everybody knows that Winston Churchill loved the English language,

and he was a very great speaker, so maybe he didn't like jargon.

Good answer, but we'll find out at the end of the programme

whether you're right or wrong.

OK, recently officials were asked to stop using all the jargon

that was written on a list.

It contained 100 different words and expressions,

all jargon that people didn't understand

unless they worked with government officials, for example.

Now that sounds like a really interesting list.

I wonder whether I would understand any of the jargon on it?

You might, you'll have a chance to find out.

However, I need you to explain

some of the language we'll come across in that report today, William.

First, what does 'flagged up' mean?

If you 'flag something up', you really want to draw attention to it,

you want people to notice it, so you 'flag it up' — it's a phrasal verb.

And in England, what are 'councils'?

'Councils' are a form of local government.

So 'councillors' are local politicians who people vote for

and elected councillors make decisions

about things like new local buildings and roads.

Lovely. Now, Paul Ross and Joanne Good from BBC London's Breakfast Show

looked at three pieces of jargon which they found on that list I mentioned.

But do they understand any of the jargon?

Try to find out.

What do these phrases mean to you?

'Stakeholder engagement'?

No, me neither.

'A multiagency approach'? Sort of.

And 'a civic amenity site'?

The chances are not much, which is why they've all been flagged up

as some of the worst examples of jargon used by councils and public bodies.

William, did they understand any of the jargon?

Er, no. Paul said 'sort of',

which means he had an idea what it meant, but he wasn't sure.

And what about you, William?

Do you know what 'a civic amenity site' is, for example?

Not really, but I'm guessing it's a really useful place that's used by citizens.

Mm and when you put it like that, it sounds absolutely lovely,

but 'a civic amenity site' is jargon, so it's confusing,

because it could be a wonderful community centre or a smelly rubbish tip.

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But are there times when jargon is useful? What do you think, William?

Yes, I think if you don't want other people to understand what you're saying,

but then that's not very nice,

because it could mean that they don't get really important information.

For example, people can't complain about the building of a new civic amenity site

if they don't know whether it's a good or a bad thing.

True. And that's why I don't like jargon.

But does Joanne agree with me?

In the end, we embrace it, don't we?

I mean, jargon is the vernacular, isn't it?

And I love being in the know.

I mean, I've been loving this morning's calls,

because people introduce you into their shorthand for their workplace.

So, Jo believes that after a while, most of us 'embrace' jargon,

we get used it, we begin to like it and we even start using it.

But does she actually like it?

Yes, she does. She says that she loves jargon because it puts her 'in the know' —

she feels part of a special group of people who understand and use it.

That's right and she even calls jargon 'the vernacular'.

But what does she mean by that, William?

'Vernacular': she means it's almost 'slang':

very informal language that's only used by people who do a particular type of work.

OK, so now without using informal language, William,

I need the answer to today's question.

Which British Prime Minister became known as 'Jack the Jargon Killer'

because he tried to stop officials using jargon?

I said maybe Winston Churchill.

And you were absolutely right!

— Yay! — Yes, he didn't like things like

'the receipt of your communication is hereby acknowledged with thanks' —

which means?

Thanks for your letter!

Easier!

But that's all we've got time for today.

— Goodbye. — Goodbye.

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