ASSIGNMENT of SOCIOLINGUISTICS

Argot and Jargon

Written to fulfill SOCIOLINGUISTICS
Lecturer: Norhenriady, M.Pd
By The Group 3rd
Ira Cindy Arista
Jamilah
Listiana
Nina Khadijah
Riska Sumilawati

Prodi : English Department of Education

ISLAMIC COLLAGE
RASYIDIYAH KHALIDIYAH AMUNTAI
2016/2017

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background
Especially argot, is language special to a group, and understood
only by that group. Most of the words of argot are short-lived. The
students' argot is special to students, and cannot be understood by
others. So is it with teenagers' argot or the criminals' argot. Such words
or language do not form a part of standard speech and writing.
Jargon is a body of words and phrases that apply to a specific
activity or profession, such as a particular art form or athletic or
recreational endeavor, or a medical or scientific subject. Jargon is often
necessary for precision when referring to procedures and materials
integral to a certain pursuit.

B. Problem Formulation
1. What is the meaning of Argot?
2. What is the meaning of Jargon?

CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
A. Argot
1. Definition of Argot
Argot is a secret language used by various groupsincluding, but not limited to, thieves
and other criminalsto prevent outsiders from understanding their conversations.
An argot is a language primarily developed to disguise conversation, originally because of
a criminal enterprise, though the term is also used loosely to refer to informal jargon.
Argot (which comes from the French meaning slang) is very much like jargon except that
instead of being the language of a professional class, it is (usually at least) the language of a
criminal class. The specialized language of thieves, confidence hucksters, and prisoners would be
considered argot. Like jargon, argot is understood only by members of the group. So this is
mean the social variation that limited to certain proffession only and secretly in
nature by using special vocabulary. In the crime world of thives, people in use terms
like glasses for police, leaves for money, etc.

2. Example of Argot
a. The Argot of the Racetrack
The Argot of the Racetrack" The argot of the racetrack is responsible for

piker 'small town gambler,' ringer 'illegally substituted horse,' shoo-in 'fixed race, easy
win,' and others."
b. The Argot of Prisoners
Prison argot, originally defined as the jargon of thieves, is a particular form of
slang (Einat 2005)in some circumstances, a complete languagecapable of
describing the world from the perspective of the prison.

c. The Argot of Pool Players

The poolroom hustler makes his living by betting against his opponents in
different types of pool or billiard games, and as part of the playing and betting
process he engages in various deceitful practices.
B. Jargon
1. Definetion of Jargon
Jargon is like a type of shorth and between members of a particular group of
people, often words that are meaning less outside of a certain context. Following are
some examples of jargon that will help illustrate the concept.
Each of these different types of jargon is used as a shorth and by people in-theknow to make communicating easier. By learning the jargon for a particular industry, you
can develop a deeper understanding of its culture and commonly-used phrases.
Jargon has two meanings. First and in popular usage, jargon refers to language that
is overly complex or difficult for people to understand. As such it has a negative
connotation; it is language that should be avoided if your aim is clear and meaningful
communication. If, on the other hand, your aim is to confuse or to intimidate jargon often
serves well.
A second meaning of jargon, however, is the technical language of a profession
which often is difficult or impossible for outsiders to understand. Psychologists,
mathematicians, engineers, financial experts, and, of course, communication theorists and
researchers

have

their

own

professional

language

(i.e.,

jargon).

So, while jargon enables members of the same profession to communicate more easily
and more precisely with each other, jargon also prevents meaningful communication
between those who are and those who are not members of the profession. The language
of the real estate deed or the insurance policy is jargon-filled. The aim, quite often, is to
put the non-professional at a disadvantage for not knowing the technical language.
2. Example of Jargon
a. Example of medical jargon

1) Agonal - Term to signify a major, negative change in a patients condition.

2) BP - Medical shorthand for blood pressure.
3) FX - Medical jargon meaning bone fracture.
4) JT - A joint.
5) NPO - A patient should not take anything by mouth.
6) IM Intramuscular.
7) K - The elemental symbol for potassium.
b. Example of business jargon
1) Bang for the buck - A term that means, to get the most for your money.
2) Due diligence - Putting effort into research before making a business decision.
3) Sweat equity - Getting a stake in the business instead of pay.
4) The 9-to-5 - Business jargon meaning a standard work day.
5) Chief cook and bottle-washer - A person who holds many responsibilities.
c. Example of police jargon
1) Suspect - A person whom the police think may have committed a crime.
2) 10-4 - Radio jargon meaning Okay or I understand.
3) Code Eight - Term that means officer needs help immediately.
4) Code Eleven - A code that means the individual is at the scene of the crime.
5) FTP - The failure of an individual to pay a fine.
6) Assumed room temperature: An individual has died.
d. Examples of Military Jargon
1) TD - Temporary duty.
2) AWOL - Absent without leave.
3) SQDN - A squadron.
4) SAM - Surface-to-Air missile.
5) PCS - A permanent change of station.
6) LES - Leave and earning statement.

e. Examples of Political Jargon

1) Left wing - Political jargon for liberal, progressive viewpoint.
2) Right wing - Jargon meaning a conservative viewpoint.
3) Getting on a soapbox - Making a speech in public.
4) POTUS - President of the United States.
5) SCOTUS - Supreme Court of the United States.

CHAPTER III
CLOSING
A. Conclusion
Argot (which comes from the French meaning slang) is very much like jargon
except that instead of being the language of a professional class, it is (usually at least) the
language of a criminal class. The specialized language of thieves, confidence hucksters,
and prisoners would be considered argot.
Jargon is like a type of shorth and between members of a particular group of
people, often words that are meaning less outside of a certain context. Following are
some examples of jargon that will help illustrate the concept.

REFERENCES
http://tcbdevito.blogspot.in/2007/11/abcd-jargon-argot-slang-and-taboo.html
http://sivandy.blogspot.in/2012/12/contoh-makalah.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/argot
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/jargon