The use of medical terms or medical jargons away from work has been a reality that has always been both accosted by merits and demerits. This largely depends on the manner in which the language user employs the terms, as is shown in this essay. Conditions under which it is comfortable to use medical terms It is almost natural that medical practitioners find it appropriate and comfortable to use medical terms when outside, socializing with their peers.
This is because the peer group being made up of the same crop of professionals readily understands their language register, and thereby speeding up and facilitating communication within the group. This continual use of the language register among the medical practitioners expels the burden of having to simplify terms and the overall message. It is also comfortable to use the language register of medicine when in the company of a novice who is being mentored.
This will help the trainee acquire a desirably vast number of lexicons that belong to medical jargons, as long as the terms are explained. This helps the apprentice grasp medical concepts easily in subsequent lectures and training. In another wavelength, it is usually inevitable to use medical jargons when in talk shows. This is because, at times, there are no words that have one to one equivalence with the medical jargons.
This situation compels the interviewee from the medical fraternity to use his language register in order to convey his semantic target. However, this will force the interviewee to explain the meaning of the terms he has used so as to ensure the laymen understand (Chabner et al 2006). Conclusion and Steps to increase the comfort level in medical terms usage The medical practitioner can take to increase the comfort level of the use of medical jargons by using euphemisms.
A euphemism is merely a softer term that is used to ward off offence that stem from the strong emotive force of words. In this effect, terms such as “vagina” can be replaced with “birth canal” when speaking in public. Conversely, the practitioner can select appropriate words to use so as to discriminate against medical jargons that have strong emotive forces. This may also involve the deliberate use of light terms so as to increase the comfort level.
Reference
Chabner, D. et al (2006). How To Use The Language Of Medicine. New York: Routledge.