Shared Language-Jargon Dilemma

From wsuwiki

Shared language

Most academic disciplines and other discourse communities develop context specific language. They use such specialized language to communicate complex ideas efficiently among members of the group. EE Kim uses the term SharedLangage to describe this concept of communication.

Jargon

Unfortunately, what is effective and efficient for established members of disciplines and discourse communities presents extreme challenges for students, novices and outsiders. Since students have not yet mastered the shared language, they may experience the shared language as jargon impeding their entry into the discipline.

E.E. Kim: Wikis resolve the dilemma

Kim suggests that the discourse communities can resolve the tension between jargon and shared language by using wikis to make the shared language more explicit: [[1]] Kim argues that wikis support the development of shared language in ways that Content Mangement Systems and standard websites do not. He urges writers to use automatic WikiWord linking to identify shared language and explain it.