Corporate jargon

Last updated

Corporate jargon (variously known as corporate speak, corporate lingo, business speak, business jargon, management speak, workplace jargon, corporatese, or commercialese) is the jargon often used in large corporations, bureaucracies, and similar workplaces. [1] [2] The language register of the term is generally being presented in a negative light or disapprovingly. It is often considered to be needlessly obscure or, alternatively, used to disguise an absence of information. Its use in corporations and other large organisations has been widely noted in media. [3]

Contents

Marketing speak is a related label for wording styles used to promote a product or service.

Coinage and use

Corporate speak is associated with managers of large corporations, business management consultants, and occasionally government. Reference to such jargon is typically derogatory, implying the use of long, complicated, or obscure words; abbreviations; euphemisms; and acronyms. For that reason some of its forms may be considered as an argot. [2] Some of these words may be neologisms or inventions, designed purely to fit the specialized meaning of a situation or even to "spin" negative situations as positive situations, for example in the practice of greenwashing. [4] Although it is pervasive in the education field, its use has been criticized as reflecting a sinister view of students as commodities and schools as retail outlets. [5]

Criticism

The use of corporate jargon is criticised for its lack of clarity as well as for its tedium, making meaning and intention opaque and understanding difficult. [6] It is also criticized for not only enabling delusional thoughts, but allowing them to be seen as an asset in the workplace. [7] Corporate jargon has been criticized as "pompous" and "a tool for making things seem more impressive than they are". [3] Steven Poole writes that it is "engineered to deflect blame, complicate simple ideas, obscure problems, and perpetuate power relations". [8]

Marketing speak is a related label for wording styles used to promote a product or service to a wide audience by seeking to create the impression that the vendors of the service possess a high level of sophistication, skill, and technical knowledge. Such language is often used in marketing press releases, advertising copy, and prepared statements read by executives and politicians.[ citation needed ]

Examples

Many corporate-jargon terms have straightforward meanings in other contexts (e.g., leverage in physics, or picked up with a well-defined meaning in finance), but are used more loosely in business speak. For example, a deliverable can become any service or product. [9] The word team had specific meanings in agriculture and in sport before becoming a ubiquitous synonym for a group spanning one or more levels in a corporate organisation. [10]

The phrases going forward or moving forward make a confident gesture towards the future, but are generally vague on timing, which usually means they can be removed from a sentence with little or no effect on its overall meaning. [11]

In order to obfuscate or distract from unpleasant or unwanted news, filler such as the phrase "at this time" or overly complicated grammatical constructions – e.g. usage of the present progressive – is frequently used at the beginning of a sentence despite its clear redundancy. Examples include "At this time, we have decided we are not going to move forward with your application" when "We have decided not to move forward with your application" would suffice. [12]

Legal terms such as Chapter 11 can be used: for example, Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code is about US bankruptcy.[ citation needed ]

Some systems of corporate jargon recycle pop ethics with terms such as responsibility. [13]

Corporate speak in non-English-speaking countries frequently contains borrowed English acronyms, words, and usages. [14] Russian-speakers, for instance, may eschew native constructions and use words such as лидер (literally: lider for 'leader') or adopt forms such as пиарщик (piarshchik for 'PR specialist').[ citation needed ]

Jargon, like other manifestations of language, can change over time; and management fads may influence management-speak. Thus the much-maligned use of the term empowerment [15] may have peaked about 2004 before declining. [16] [ original research? ]

See also

Related Research Articles

The English language was introduced to the Americas by the arrival of the British, beginning in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The language also spread to numerous other parts of the world as a result of British trade and settlement and the spread of the former British Empire, which, by 1921, included 470–570 million people, about a quarter of the world's population. In England, Wales, Ireland and especially parts of Scotland there are differing varieties of the English language, so the term 'British English' is an oversimplification. Likewise, spoken American English varies widely across the country. Written forms of British and American English as found in newspapers and textbooks vary little in their essential features, with only occasional noticeable differences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibberish</span> Nonsensical language

Gibberish, also called jibber-jabber or gobbledygook, is speech that is nonsense: ranging across speech sounds that are not actual words, pseudowords, language games and specialized jargon that seems nonsensical to outsiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet slang</span> Slang languages used by different people on the Internet

Internet slang is a non-standard or unofficial form of language used by people on the Internet to communicate to one another. An example of Internet slang is "LOL" meaning "laugh out loud." Since Internet slang is constantly changing, it is difficult to provide a standardized definition. However, it can be understood to be any type of slang that Internet users have popularized, and in many cases, have coined. Such terms often originate with the purpose of saving keystrokes or to compensate for small character limits. Many people use the same abbreviations in texting, instant messaging, and social networking websites. Acronyms, keyboard symbols, and abbreviations are common types of Internet slang. New dialects of slang, such as leet or Lolspeak, develop as ingroup Internet memes rather than time savers. Many people also use Internet slang in face-to-face, real life communication.

A pidgin, or pidgin language, is a grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups of people that do not have a language in common: typically, its vocabulary and grammar are limited and often drawn from several languages. It is most commonly employed in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the country in which they reside.

A slang is a vocabulary of an informal register, common in verbal conversation but avoided in formal writing. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-groups in order to establish group identity, exclude outsiders, or both. The word itself came about in the 18th century and has been defined in multiple ways since its conception.

Jargon or technical language is the specialized terminology associated with a particular field or area of activity. Jargon is normally employed in a particular communicative context and may not be well understood outside that context. The context is usually a particular occupation, but any ingroup can have jargon. The key characteristic that distinguishes jargon from the rest of a language is its specialized vocabulary, which includes terms and definitions of words that are unique to the context, and terms used in a narrower and more exact sense than when used in colloquial language. This can lead outgroups to misunderstand communication attempts. Jargon is sometimes understood as a form of technical slang and then distinguished from the official terminology used in a particular field of activity.

A chief executive officer (CEO) is the highest officer charged with the management of an organization – especially a company or nonprofit institution.

Colloquialism is the linguistic style used for casual (informal) communication. It is the most common functional style of speech, the idiom normally employed in conversation and other informal contexts. Colloquialism is characterized by wide usage of interjections and other expressive devices; it makes use of non-specialist terminology, and has a rapidly changing lexicon. It can also be distinguished by its usage of formulations with incomplete logical and syntactic ordering.

Obfuscation is the obscuring of the intended meaning of communication by making the message difficult to understand, usually with confusing and ambiguous language. The obfuscation might be either unintentional or intentional, and is accomplished with circumlocution, the use of jargon, and the use of an argot of limited communicative value to outsiders.

In linguistics, a neologism is any relatively recent and isolated term, word, or phrase that nevertheless has achieved popular or institutional recognition, and is becoming accepted into mainstream language. Most definitively, a word can be considered a neologism once it is published in a dictionary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buzzword</span> Term used to impress in organizations

A buzzword is a word or phrase, new or already existing, that becomes popular for a period of time. Buzzwords often derive from technical terms yet often have much of the original technical meaning removed through fashionable use, being simply used to impress others. Some buzzwords retain their true technical meaning when used in the correct contexts, for example artificial intelligence. Buzzwords often originate in jargon, acronyms, or neologisms. Examples of overworked business buzzwords include synergy, vertical, dynamic, cyber and strategy.

Empowerment is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. Empowerment as action refers both to the process of self-empowerment and to professional support of people, which enables them to overcome their sense of powerlessness and lack of influence, and to recognize and use their resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buzzword bingo</span> Bingo-style word game

Buzzword bingo, also known as bullshit bingo, is a bingo-style game where participants prepare bingo cards with buzzwords and tick them off when they are uttered during an event, such as a meeting or speech. The goal of the game is to tick off a predetermined number of words in a row and then signal bingo to other players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weasel word</span> Words or phrases using vague claims

A weasel word, or anonymous authority, is a word and phrase aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said when in fact only a vague, ambiguous, or irrelevant claim has been communicated. The terms may be considered informal. Examples include the phrases "some people say", "it is thought", and "researchers believe". Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place. Weasel words can be a form of tergiversation and may be used in advertising, (popular) science, opinion pieces and political statements to mislead or disguise a biased view or unsubstantiated claim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chairperson</span> Leading or presiding officer of an organized group

The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the group or organisation, presides over meetings of the group, and conducts the group's business in an orderly fashion.

A slang dictionary is a reference book containing an alphabetical list of slang, which is vernacular vocabulary not generally acceptable in formal usage, usually including information given for each word, including meaning, pronunciation, and etymology. It can provide definitions on a range of slang from more mundane terms to obscure sexual practices. Such works also can include words and phrases arising from different dialects and argots, which may or may not have passed into more common usage. They can also track the changing meaning of the terms over time and space, as they migrate and mutate.

Psychobabble is a form of speech or writing that uses psychological jargon, buzzwords, and esoteric language to create an impression of truth or plausibility. The term implies that the speaker or writer lacks the experience and understanding necessary for the proper use of psychological terms. Additionally, it may imply that the content of speech deviates markedly from common sense and good judgement.

Officialese, bureaucratese, or governmentese is language that sounds official. It is the "language of officialdom". Officialese is characterized by a preference for wordy, long sentences; complex words, code words, or buzzwords over simple, traditional ones; vagueness over directness; and passive over active voice. The history of officialese can be traced to the history of officialdom, as far back as the eldest human civilizations and their surviving official writings.

Internet industry jargon is a unique way of speaking used by people working in the internet industry. It shows how those people talk and communicate with each other in their work setting and can vary with different language cultures in different countries. The jargon consists of familiar words found in daily life, but combined and used in the internet industry to create new concepts that describe and express specific ideas. Those jargons are intensively used in their speaking. It is often hard for people outside of this industry to understand what they are talking about although every word seems familiar.

References

  1. ↑ Bryan A. Garner (28 July 2009). "Commercialese". Garner's Modern American Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 168–69. ISBN   978-0-19-987462-0 . Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 Sandberg, Jared (24 October 2006). "The Jargon Jumble: Kids Have 'Skeds,' Colleagues, 'Needs'". Wall Street Journal.
  3. 1 2 Darics, Erika (29 June 2016). "Looking under the bonnet of annoying management speak". The Conversation .
  4. ↑ Gorsevski, Ellen W. (2015). "Chipotle Mexican Grill's Meatwashing Propaganda". In Samuel Boerboom (ed.). Language of Food. Lexington Books. pp. 201–225. ISBN   978-1-4985-0556-7 . Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  5. ↑ Mulheron, Maurie (August 5, 2013). "Corporate-speak reflects a sinister ideology". Surry Hills Education. 94 (7): 8.
  6. ↑ Linnell, Garry (17 March 2017). "Going forward, corporatese should be confined to the dustbin". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ↑ Young, Molly (20 February 2020). "Garbage Language Why do corporations speak the way they do?". Vulture.
  8. ↑ Poole, Steven (25 April 2013). "10 of the worst examples of management-speak". The Guardian .
  9. ↑ List, B.; Schiefer, J.; Tjoa, A. M. (2003). "Process-Oriented Requirement Ananlysis Supporting the Data Warehouse Design process – A Use Case Driven Approach". Database and Expert Systems Applications: 11th International Conference, DEXA 2000 London, UK, September 4–8, 2000 Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Vol. 1873. Berlin: Springer. p. 601. ISBN   9783540444695 . Retrieved 19 March 2023. [...] the purpose of each business process is to offer each customer the right product or service (that is, the right deliverable) [...].
  10. ↑ "team" . Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.(Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  11. ↑ Brians, Paul (19 May 2016). "Going forward". Common Errors in English Usage and More. Retrieved 29 July 2022– via Washington State University.
  12. ↑ John, Bortman (25 February 2024). "Common Errors in English Usage and More". Common Errors in English Usage and More. Business Terms and Business Jargon explained. Retrieved 25 February 2024– via Trinity College.
  13. ↑ Owen, Jo (3 October 2020). "Responsibility". The Leadership Skills Handbook: 100 Essential Skills You Need to be a Leader (5th ed.). London: Kogan Page Publishers. p. 9. ISBN   9781789666700 . Retrieved 19 March 2023. Responsibility is massively abused in management speak. Most people's hearts sink when responsibility comes into the conversation: it is rarely a positive development.
  14. ↑ Cierpich, Agnieszka (2018). "English-Polish contacts in corporate speak". Socjolingwistyka[Sociolinguistics]. 32: 91–106. doi: 10.17651/SOCJOLING.32.6 . ISSN   2545-0468;(in English). See pp. 102–103 for examples. (Direct PDF download – 341 kB)
  15. ↑ Korczynski, Marek; Hodson, Randy; Edwards, Paul K., eds. (2006). Social Theory at Work. Oxford University Press. p. 40. ISBN   9780199285976 . Retrieved 19 March 2023. ... what in managementspeak is 'empowerment' is more accurately described as degradation. ...
  16. ↑ "empowerment" usage: 1960–2019 Google Books Ngram Viewer[ original research? ]

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.