DON’T FEAR JARGON-USERS
If a scholar uses jargon heavily, this doesn’t mean they’re smarter than you or using the jargon correctly. Maybe they use it well as a kind of shorthand, and maybe simply looking up the unfamiliar words can help with the jargon.
But sometimes they may be assuming too much about their understanding of the jargon, covering for weaknesses in their argument, or using jargon to impress and appeal to other scholars who use the same jargon.
I’m reading an otherwise good book in which the author claims that a scene in a Shakespeare play offers a new semiotics (theoretical-philosophical understanding of interpreting signs and symbols). Actually, no. The play might inspire a scholar to a new theory or new insights about semiotics. But Shakespeare plays don’t offer semiotics. (See Webster definition below the Princess Bride meme.)
It brought to mind a certain line (and internet meme) from “Princess Bride.”
Poet William Stafford advised that when reading poetry, if you don’t like or understand a poem, turn the page. Find another poem. The same could apply as advice on reading scholarly books and essays.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also posted on LinkedIn at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6490309751795175424
#Shakespeare #literarycriticism #EarlyModern #Renaissance #Theater #Drama #Literature #EnglishLiterature #scholars #jargon #Semiotics
But sometimes they may be assuming too much about their understanding of the jargon, covering for weaknesses in their argument, or using jargon to impress and appeal to other scholars who use the same jargon.
I’m reading an otherwise good book in which the author claims that a scene in a Shakespeare play offers a new semiotics (theoretical-philosophical understanding of interpreting signs and symbols). Actually, no. The play might inspire a scholar to a new theory or new insights about semiotics. But Shakespeare plays don’t offer semiotics. (See Webster definition below the Princess Bride meme.)
It brought to mind a certain line (and internet meme) from “Princess Bride.”
Poet William Stafford advised that when reading poetry, if you don’t like or understand a poem, turn the page. Find another poem. The same could apply as advice on reading scholarly books and essays.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also posted on LinkedIn at this link:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6490309751795175424
#Shakespeare #literarycriticism #EarlyModern #Renaissance #Theater #Drama #Literature #EnglishLiterature #scholars #jargon #Semiotics
Comments
Post a Comment