NBC And Jargon

PLEASE allow me space in your newspaper to air my comment on the NBC program Talk of the Nation, putting the focus particularly on Monday 30 August 2004.

Listening to Talk of the Nation is my Monday bible but sometimes I am forced to switch to something else. Ths is because of the technicalities and jargon uttered by panelists on this program.On the recent programme, as about the bond market, the program panelists slipped into mind-numbing jargon of economists, bankers and other bureaucrats instead of using plain language that people use in everyday conversation.This jargon is fine for economists and other financial professionals; they understand one another-or at least pretend to.For the average viewer, though, economic jargon is often confusing and boring.Maybe sometimes panelists want to show off to their viewers, and they believe that jargon will be seen as a sign of their advanced education and intelligence.Or do they think avoiding jargon or saying something simple would be too blunt.Or perhaps it is difficult to translate jargon into normal language.I think when it is difficult to get rid of a jargon then define and explain it, thereby accommodating everybody.I know that some terms have such a specialized meaning that to avoid them would confuse rather than clarify.And I am also aware of the issue of oversimplification.But remember that these terms are still mysterious code words for most people; panelists therefore need to decode them.If one for example talks of the “inter-bank rates” without clarification, then the term is virtually meaningless to many viewers who dont know what inter-bank rates mean.Hence, the use of jargons would be appropriate if the message is directed to a fairly sophisticated and targeted audience.But in the case of NBC where messages are directed to a general mass audience jargon should therefore be avoided if possible.All in all, I hope that panelists will get into the habit of constantly asking: could this be said more simply or clearly?Boyson Ngondo WindhoekThs is because of the technicalities and jargon uttered by panelists on this program.On the recent programme, as about the bond market, the program panelists slipped into mind-numbing jargon of economists, bankers and other bureaucrats instead of using plain language that people use in everyday conversation.This jargon is fine for economists and other financial professionals; they understand one another-or at least pretend to.For the average viewer, though, economic jargon is often confusing and boring.Maybe sometimes panelists want to show off to their viewers, and they believe that jargon will be seen as a sign of their advanced education and intelligence.Or do they think avoiding jargon or saying something simple would be too blunt.Or perhaps it is difficult to translate jargon into normal language.I think when it is difficult to get rid of a jargon then define and explain it, thereby accommodating everybody.I know that some terms have such a specialized meaning that to avoid them would confuse rather than clarify.And I am also aware of the issue of oversimplification.But remember that these terms are still mysterious code words for most people; panelists therefore need to decode them.If one for example talks of the “inter-bank rates” without clarification, then the term is virtually meaningless to many viewers who dont know what inter-bank rates mean.Hence, the use of jargons would be appropriate if the message is directed to a fairly sophisticated and targeted audience.But in the case of NBC where messages are directed to a general mass audience jargon should therefore be avoided if possible.All in all, I hope that panelists will get into the habit of constantly asking: could this be said more simply or clearly?Boyson Ngondo Windhoek