Navigating Jargon and Complex Language
Have you ever been doing research for an assignment and found what looks to be an awesome primary source, only to start reading it and become completely confused by big words and complex jargon you’ve never encountered before?
You are not alone!
Often when we are researching a new topic, we are going to come across lots of new and complicated language and concepts in scientific publications and source literature. This can be intimidating and make us want to abandon these resources for information that is easier to comprehend quickly.
This is totally understandable, but as we get further along in our studies, many of our assignments will require us to use peer-reviewed scientific publications and primary source literature as the majority of the references we use. So at some point, we will have to develop the skills to decode complex language and jargon, so we can read scientific source literature for deeper understanding.
The following steps will help you start developing the skills to decode and understand jargon and complicated language and with practice, this will become something that can become a skill you are comfortable navigating and employing:
Identify the purpose
The first step to deal with jargon is to identify the purpose of the text that contains it.
- Why is the author using jargon?
- Is it to inform, persuade, instruct, or impress?
- Is it appropriate for the intended audience, topic, and genre?
- Is it consistent with the main message and tone?
By asking these questions, you can evaluate the relevance and credibility of the jargon and determine how much attention and effort you need to devote to understanding it.
Decode the meaning
The second step to deal with jargon is to decode the meaning of the unfamiliar terms or expressions. You can use various strategies to do this, such as:
- Looking for definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, or context clues in the text or speech itself.
- Consulting reliable sources, like dictionaries, glossaries, encyclopedias to verify or clarify meaning.
You can also use your prior knowledge, logic, or intuition to infer or guess the meaning of jargon based on its structure, origin, or relation to other words.
Analyze the implications
The third step is to analyze the implications of the jargon for the overall understanding and evaluation of the text.
- How does the jargon affect the accuracy, completeness, validity, or significance of the information or arguments presented?
- How does the jargon influence the tone, style, or perspective of the author?
- How does the jargon relate to the main ideas, themes, or goals of the text?
By asking these questions, you can assess the impact and value of the jargon and integrate it into your own interpretation and opinion.
Apply the knowledge
The fourth step is to apply the knowledge that you have gained from the jargon to your own learning, work, or communication.
- How can you use the jargon to enhance your understanding, skills, or performance in a specific field or domain?
- How can you use the jargon to communicate more effectively, confidently, or respectfully with others who share or need the same vocabulary?
- How can you use the jargon to explore new topics, questions, or possibilities in your area of interest or curiosity?
By carefully considering these questions, you can transfer and extend the knowledge that you have acquired from the jargon and make it more meaningful and useful for yourself and others.
Review and reflect
The fifth step is to review and reflect on your experience and progress with the jargon.
- How did you feel when you first read the jargon?
- What challenges did you face and which strategies did you find most useful?
- What did you miss or misunderstand and how can you improve your process?
Now you can evaluate your learning and thinking process and identify your strengths and weaknesses when encountering jargon.
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