Essay 1 Perri Klass
Jargon- A Profession’s Language
“Two eggs-wreck ‘em,” the waitress yells, “with an order of pigs, and shingles.” Most people wouldn’t have any idea that the person had ordered two scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, but that is the beauty of jargon. Jargon is everywhere. Perri Klass describes her experiences with jargon in the medical field with her essay, “She’s Your Basic LOL in NAD.” In this essay she describes her feelings, both negative and positive, towards jargon and how it had become her “new language” (105). There are many consequences that can come from using jargon in a professional setting, such as enhancing teamwork, building professional and emotional distances, and creating an efficient workplace.
The first consequence that can occur from the use of jargon in a professional setting is its ability to enhance teamwork. Klass, when referring to jargon in a medical setting, writes, “These special languages contribute to a sense of closeness and professional spirit among people who are under a great deal of stress.” When working in most professions teamwork is an essential part of being successful. Jargon can contribute to teamwork by providing an individualized language that was built directly for a specific profession, giving coworkers a way to communicate solely based on their knowledge of their work. With these, as Klass describes them, “special languages” (104) there is a unique connection that can be made between a team of employees.
A second consequence of using jargon in a professional setting is its capability to contribute to building a professional and emotional distance between the employee and the patient, client, or customer. In some professions, especially in the medical business, it’s very important to create this distance. Becoming emotionally attached can persuade a person’s judgment and cause them to make a decision based off feelings and not professionalism. Jargon can help build the necessary distance by giving the employee a
“Two eggs-wreck ‘em,” the waitress yells, “with an order of pigs, and shingles.” Most people wouldn’t have any idea that the person had ordered two scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, but that is the beauty of jargon. Jargon is everywhere. Perri Klass describes her experiences with jargon in the medical field with her essay, “She’s Your Basic LOL in NAD.” In this essay she describes her feelings, both negative and positive, towards jargon and how it had become her “new language” (105). There are many consequences that can come from using jargon in a professional setting, such as enhancing teamwork, building professional and emotional distances, and creating an efficient workplace.
The first consequence that can occur from the use of jargon in a professional setting is its ability to enhance teamwork. Klass, when referring to jargon in a medical setting, writes, “These special languages contribute to a sense of closeness and professional spirit among people who are under a great deal of stress.” When working in most professions teamwork is an essential part of being successful. Jargon can contribute to teamwork by providing an individualized language that was built directly for a specific profession, giving coworkers a way to communicate solely based on their knowledge of their work. With these, as Klass describes them, “special languages” (104) there is a unique connection that can be made between a team of employees.
A second consequence of using jargon in a professional setting is its capability to contribute to building a professional and emotional distance between the employee and the patient, client, or customer. In some professions, especially in the medical business, it’s very important to create this distance. Becoming emotionally attached can persuade a person’s judgment and cause them to make a decision based off feelings and not professionalism. Jargon can help build the necessary distance by giving the employee a