HOME > WordMaster® > JARGON/LAYMAN'S TERM | 特殊用語、専門用語 vs. 普通の言葉

@Work
2005.02.14(Review of 2003.09.19 edition)

Hello and happy Valentine's Day!

You know, we often meet students who, although they may have trouble with a simple conversation about the weather, are able to use hundreds of complex technical terms with ease. These are usually essential words for their academic major or profession - terms they hear and use every day. Let's take a look at a word for such language and a word for its opposite!

Today's LessonCATEGORY:間違いやすいボキャブラリー
JARGON / LAYMAN'S TERM   
特殊用語、専門用語 vs. 普通の言葉

Explanation

  • Jargon is the special language of a particular group - for example, scientists or accountants - that is difficult for other people to understand.

    The expression layman's term refers to “ordinary” language that can be understood by someone without any special knowledge or training.

    Be Careful! The word jargon is often used when speaking negatively about the way a person communicates.
  • jargon とは、ある特定の団体 ― 例えば、科学者や会計士の団体など ― が使う独自の用語で、外部の人にはわかりにくい言葉のことです。

    layman's term という表現は、「普通の」言葉のことを意味し、特別な知識を持たない人や、訓練を受けていない人にでも理解できる言葉、ということになります。

    注意:通常 jargon という言葉は、それを使う人の話し方を否定的に表現する時に使います。

examples

  1. I can't make any sense of this instruction manual. It's full of jargon that I don't understand.
  2. I'm not a lawyer, so don't use all that legal jargon. Please, just talk in plain language.
  3. a: What does “reboot” mean?
    b: It's computer jargon for “restart the computer”.
  4. “Restart” is a layman's term for “reboot”.
  5. Can't anyone explain this to me in layman's terms?

英会話レッスンWordMaster and jargon - like oil and water!