Jargon and Slang | Meaning | Examples 

Jargon and Slang are similar linguistic terminologies peculiar to the use of language in context. Both terms, however, are different in function and denote different ideas.

Jargon

Jargon is a variety of language use that is peculiar to a particular field of study or profession. It refers to all the technical terminologies used by members of a field or profession different from standard language.

Jargon can be likened to the vocabulary of a field or profession, encompassing its terminologies which in one way or the other distinguishes it from the others. The specialized terms contained in the jargon of a field enable members of the so-known field to communicate more effectively than in general language terms. This is as a result of shared conventions among members of a field about concepts in the field which enables them to communicate faster.

An example could be a military code, say code red, which could be interpreted by soldiers as excessive casualties but barely make sense to people outside of the profession.

Different fields have their own jargon e.g., Linguistics jargon, Medicine jargon, Accounting jargon, and Mathematical jargon to mention a few.

Slang 

Slang on the other hand inherently refers to informal varieties of language use peculiar to certain social groups with which they distinguish themselves from society. It involves the use informal words, phrases, or expressions to communicate within a group. This is most associated with teenagers as they tend to have the highest varieties of slang items with which they communicate among themselves. Example; dope, simp, dawg, etc.,. Slang items afford people the opportunity to relate with others of similar or shared interests in a social group.

The difference between jargon and slang can not be overemphasized because jargon is a formal variant of language use in a very specific context. The context of the usage of jargon varies from one profession or field of study to the other. Jargon can be likened to the vocabulary of a field of study containing its technical terminologies that aid easier communication among members due to shared conventions on concepts in the field. Slang, on the other hand, refers to informal and non-standard use of language peculiar to a social group for instance teenagers with which they connect with people of shared interests. It is informal and involves the use of nonstandard expressions peculiar to members of a specific social group or community.

By Clinton Chukwu