A Tag-Friendly Word or Phrase Expressing Failure to Communicate Meaning Due to Word Choice
I'm a member over at IPS.SE and we are trying to think of how to word a new tag for questions. The phenomenon we are trying to describe is failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know. The assumed context is that both parties share the same effective language (no foreign translations, obscure dialects, or regionalisms are presumed to be present). The issue includes use of technical jargon, but is not limited to that.
The most popular proposed tag (as of my writing this, at least) is 'communication-noise', referencing the idea of a signal-to-noise ratio. I'm being difficult in that I'm not convinced that's the best fit, but I can't think of anything that is clearer and similarly succinct.
The main elements to express are:
The intended meaning not being understood by the hearer
The reason for this failure being related to the speaker's word choice (that is, it's not a matter of blaming the hearer)
Ideally, the word or phrase chosen will not itself have too much jargon-ish character, but since the tag will come with an accessible description that's not a hard requirement.
single-word-requests
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
add a comment |
I'm a member over at IPS.SE and we are trying to think of how to word a new tag for questions. The phenomenon we are trying to describe is failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know. The assumed context is that both parties share the same effective language (no foreign translations, obscure dialects, or regionalisms are presumed to be present). The issue includes use of technical jargon, but is not limited to that.
The most popular proposed tag (as of my writing this, at least) is 'communication-noise', referencing the idea of a signal-to-noise ratio. I'm being difficult in that I'm not convinced that's the best fit, but I can't think of anything that is clearer and similarly succinct.
The main elements to express are:
The intended meaning not being understood by the hearer
The reason for this failure being related to the speaker's word choice (that is, it's not a matter of blaming the hearer)
Ideally, the word or phrase chosen will not itself have too much jargon-ish character, but since the tag will come with an accessible description that's not a hard requirement.
single-word-requests
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
2
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
1
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
add a comment |
I'm a member over at IPS.SE and we are trying to think of how to word a new tag for questions. The phenomenon we are trying to describe is failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know. The assumed context is that both parties share the same effective language (no foreign translations, obscure dialects, or regionalisms are presumed to be present). The issue includes use of technical jargon, but is not limited to that.
The most popular proposed tag (as of my writing this, at least) is 'communication-noise', referencing the idea of a signal-to-noise ratio. I'm being difficult in that I'm not convinced that's the best fit, but I can't think of anything that is clearer and similarly succinct.
The main elements to express are:
The intended meaning not being understood by the hearer
The reason for this failure being related to the speaker's word choice (that is, it's not a matter of blaming the hearer)
Ideally, the word or phrase chosen will not itself have too much jargon-ish character, but since the tag will come with an accessible description that's not a hard requirement.
single-word-requests
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
I'm a member over at IPS.SE and we are trying to think of how to word a new tag for questions. The phenomenon we are trying to describe is failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know. The assumed context is that both parties share the same effective language (no foreign translations, obscure dialects, or regionalisms are presumed to be present). The issue includes use of technical jargon, but is not limited to that.
The most popular proposed tag (as of my writing this, at least) is 'communication-noise', referencing the idea of a signal-to-noise ratio. I'm being difficult in that I'm not convinced that's the best fit, but I can't think of anything that is clearer and similarly succinct.
The main elements to express are:
The intended meaning not being understood by the hearer
The reason for this failure being related to the speaker's word choice (that is, it's not a matter of blaming the hearer)
Ideally, the word or phrase chosen will not itself have too much jargon-ish character, but since the tag will come with an accessible description that's not a hard requirement.
single-word-requests
single-word-requests
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
edited 6 hours ago
Upper_Case
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
asked 7 hours ago
Upper_CaseUpper_Case
79328
79328
2
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
1
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
1
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
2
2
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
1
1
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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I think your word may actually be "Jargon." While as a noun it can mean:
Applied contemptuously to any mode of speech abounding in unfamiliar terms, or peculiar to a particular set of persons, as the language of scholars or philosophers, the terminology of a science or art, or the cant of a class, sect, trade, or profession.
the word can also be used as a verb!
transitive. To utter in a jargon; to prate about in a jargon.
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
add a comment |
Inadvertent Obfuscation feels like a good choice to me, if it's not too belaboured.
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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votes
I think your word may actually be "Jargon." While as a noun it can mean:
Applied contemptuously to any mode of speech abounding in unfamiliar terms, or peculiar to a particular set of persons, as the language of scholars or philosophers, the terminology of a science or art, or the cant of a class, sect, trade, or profession.
the word can also be used as a verb!
transitive. To utter in a jargon; to prate about in a jargon.
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
add a comment |
I think your word may actually be "Jargon." While as a noun it can mean:
Applied contemptuously to any mode of speech abounding in unfamiliar terms, or peculiar to a particular set of persons, as the language of scholars or philosophers, the terminology of a science or art, or the cant of a class, sect, trade, or profession.
the word can also be used as a verb!
transitive. To utter in a jargon; to prate about in a jargon.
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
add a comment |
I think your word may actually be "Jargon." While as a noun it can mean:
Applied contemptuously to any mode of speech abounding in unfamiliar terms, or peculiar to a particular set of persons, as the language of scholars or philosophers, the terminology of a science or art, or the cant of a class, sect, trade, or profession.
the word can also be used as a verb!
transitive. To utter in a jargon; to prate about in a jargon.
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
I think your word may actually be "Jargon." While as a noun it can mean:
Applied contemptuously to any mode of speech abounding in unfamiliar terms, or peculiar to a particular set of persons, as the language of scholars or philosophers, the terminology of a science or art, or the cant of a class, sect, trade, or profession.
the word can also be used as a verb!
transitive. To utter in a jargon; to prate about in a jargon.
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
answered 6 hours ago
scohe001scohe001
2,4271121
2,4271121
add a comment |
add a comment |
Inadvertent Obfuscation feels like a good choice to me, if it's not too belaboured.
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
add a comment |
Inadvertent Obfuscation feels like a good choice to me, if it's not too belaboured.
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
add a comment |
Inadvertent Obfuscation feels like a good choice to me, if it's not too belaboured.
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
Inadvertent Obfuscation feels like a good choice to me, if it's not too belaboured.
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
answered 6 hours ago
RogerRoger
89629
89629
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
Assume the writer is using the unknown vocabulary correctly, "failure to convey an intended idea to a given audience because the speaker is using vocabulary that the audience happens not to know" sounds like a description of jargon. That word has obviously crossed your mind, so you must have decided it doesn't fit. Why not?
– Juhasz
6 hours ago
'Jargon' was also my first though from the Q..
– TrevorD
6 hours ago
@Juhasz Mainly because 'jargon' typically (as I use it) refers to domain-specific knowledge which an ordinary person would not be expected to know (like, say, 'deictic'). The issue described here includes more "ordinary" knowledge like the phrase "immune system", which I would expect a random English-speaker to understand.
– Upper_Case
6 hours ago
1
I don't like the "noise" idea, which is about unnecessary not uncomprehended communication. "Jargon" is good and covers a broader area too.
– Weather Vane
6 hours ago