A model for considering different discourse communities within the toxicological and environmental sciences: an approach for addressing jargon and personally subjective vocabulary

Discourse speak is a powerful communication shorthand between individuals in the same discourse group. Discourse speak consists of both jargon, the unique—but understood—terminology used in the discourse group, and a member's own personally subjective vocabulary, wording that is commonly used in the discourse group but has no true consensus-based meaning. It is my observation that sometimes when scientists write, they generally focus solely on content (the pedant's stance), and, consequently, can fail to consciously consider audience, and, by extension, they fail to anticipate that their publication may reach beyond their own discourse group. If scientists do not consciously consider their intended audience and do not adapt their language for “outsiders” who might be part of the audience, the usefulness of the publication becomes limited because the intended meaning can be lost. Thus, as explained in the subsequent commentary, effective communication in the sciences not only involves defendable science but, also, a conscious perception of audience through a deliberate recognition of one's own discourse speak.