by Maria C Collins

Created on: June 11, 2010

In many industries, workers use industry specific shorthand when speaking amongst themselves. It saves time and both parties understand the words used. It is also, like family words, a way to emphasize the closeness between workers. However, when used in communications to others outside your industry it serves to exclude others.

It excludes because it is unintelligible to others. Some people use it deliberately for that purpose. They think that it makes them seem clever and gives them kudos. The purpose of communicating is to educate, inform, or relate something. If the person to whom you are communicating does not understand what you are imparting to them, there is no communication at all, because communication always involves at least two people.

Some business jargon, like the ubiquitous business or management speak, for example “blue skies thinking”, “Thinking out of the box” what is wrong with the plain English “lateral thinking” or “creative thinking” serves no purpose whatsoever it does not save time or include others. It communicates nothing to anyone. It has no place in any communication at all. Those who use do so because they lack the ability to communicate effectively and the power of original thought.

Using industry specific shorthand and acronyms is fine when speaking to others in your workplace. It has no place outside the workplace. It should never be used in a communication to the public. In Britain, The Plain English Campaign has long lobbied on this issue and at last, companies and government are listening. Businesses and public bodies, such as local councils were sending letters to customers that were completely unintelligible, in a language that the Campaign calls “gobbledygook”, there are some excellent examples on their site. There is no point in businesses, government, or local councils spending money sending letters to customers, taxpayers or ratepayers, letters that they cannot understand.

Using such language in letters to customers, gives them the suspicion that you are deliberately trying to confuse or cheat them. It annoys and frustrates customers and may persuade them to take their custom elsewhere.

A business letter is a formal document and you should always write business letters using correct English. Industry shorthand is an informal spoken language and has no place in written communication. When speaking to those outside the clique that uses the special language or acronyms, you should use plain English so that what you are saying is clear to everyone.  Using jargon and acronyms outside of the group that understands them excludes people and that is why you should avoid jargon and acronyms in business communications.

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