💬 Workplace jargon hinders collaboration: what science says

Professional jargon is invading our meetings and exchanges, sometimes creating an invisible barrier between colleagues. A recent study reveals that these obscure technical terms can hinder understanding and collaboration at work, particularly affecting young employees.

When a message is filled with jargon, such as talking about "aligning bandwidths" or "workflows," it becomes more difficult to decipher. This linguistic complexity slows down information processing, causing negative feelings in recipients. Employees then feel less confident, which reduces their willingness to ask for clarification or share knowledge with their peers.


Age plays a significant role in this dynamic. Older workers, although having more difficulty assimilating jargon, are generally more inclined to seek additional information to clarify things. On the other hand, young employees, perhaps fearing to appear incompetent, hesitate more to ask questions or collaborate when faced with obscure language.

The study, conducted by Olivia Bullock and Tiffany Bisbey, involved nearly 2000 participants placed in a simulated new job scenario. Half received an email filled with technical terms, while the other half benefited from a simplified version. The results clearly show that jargon hinders information processing fluency, leading to feelings of insecurity and reluctance to interact.

To improve communication in companies, researchers recommend minimizing the use of jargon. Clear and accessible explanations promote an environment where everyone feels capable of contributing and asking for help, thus avoiding isolation and breakdowns in workflow.

Information processing in cognitive psychology

Information processing refers to how our brain perceives, understands, and memorizes the data it receives. When language is complex, as with jargon, this process is slowed down because it requires more mental effort to decode terms.

This can lead to cognitive overload, where the individual feels overwhelmed and less effective. Neuroscience studies show that linguistic simplicity more easily activates brain areas related to comprehension, thus improving information retention and application.

In the professional field, clear communication helps reduce errors and increase productivity. By avoiding jargon, we facilitate this processing, making interactions smoother and less stressful for all team members.

The impact of age on adaptation to technical language

Age influences how people handle new terms and concepts. Older workers often possess experience that makes them more aware of their limitations, prompting them to actively seek clarifications.

On the other hand, young employees, although generally more familiar with recent technologies, may lack confidence in a professional environment. They sometimes fear appearing ignorant if they ask too many questions, which leads them to avoid interactions.

This divergence is explained by social and psychological factors, such as performance pressure and corporate culture. Understanding these differences helps adapt communication by offering targeted support to promote inclusion and intergenerational collaboration at work.