Slipping in Slang

The use of slang terminology is a hallmark of the construction industry. There are as many different jargons as there are specific trades and specialties. Each trade’s vocabulary is different and it’s often very colorful. These factors alone can cause communication problems. Add the facts that slang usage can change practically overnight and new phrases are added daily; now you’ve got a potential accident in the making caused by simple miscommunication.

The meaning of a slang word or phrase isn’t always obvious to someone outside the building industry. It can be hidden in a description like saying “he’s circling the drain” to describe an employee who’s likely to be terminated. Slang can also come from current expressions taken from movies or television shows. In addition, shortened forms of words like “specs” for specifications and “prep” for preparation also are part of common slang vocabulary. When it comes to trade jargon, actual work experience is the best teacher, but it can still be hard for novices to understand — even for a beginner whose native language is English.

If slang causes problems for native speakers, what impact does it have on non-native speakers in the work force?

The answer is simple: the use of slang can have an enormous effect on a non-native speaker’s ability to perform the tasks you require. In construction any sort of miscommunication can cause serious misunderstandings that can result in delays and costly mistakes. It can put employees’ safety in jeopardy. For this reason alone, it’s important to be aware of what you say and how you say it. Both can influence how well and how quickly you are understood, especially in an emergency situation.

When adults learn English as a second language, slang can be misinterpreted and misused. When I was in high school, I had a teacher from Holland. Since I had her class before lunch, she often read the lunch menu aloud. She never failed to describe the corn we were having for lunch as a “nose of corn” instead of an “ear of corn.” Our class always howled with laughter. Most of the time she communicated well in her second language, but she never quite figured out which body part to use when talking about corn. Have you ever wondered why we say an “ear” of corn rather than an eye, an arm or a nose of corn? This is a simple example of a common phrase that a native-speaker uses without question, but a non-native speaker may never acquire without years of practice.

This communication disconnection occurs in non-native speakers because they tend take words or phrases literally rather than in context. This type of mistake happens frequently to anyone learning a second language. The slang a native-speaker uses is always hard to grasp. One of our construction clients learned this example the hard way. He asked several Hispanic employees to “police the area” at the end of the day. That’s exactly what they did. Because they didn’t understand the request, they looked for police in the area and didn’t pick up any trash! The employees performed the task literally instead of figuratively.

To correct this common communication challenge, set a great example by eliminating as much slang as possible from your speech. Using slang is a habit you can break. It’s just like controlling any other behavior you want to change; it won’t be easy but it will be rewarding. Start by examining how you give instructions to your employees. Eliminate slang there to give more efficient, streamlined directions. Taking this important step will make your instructions easier to follow. Next, make every effort to teach your non-native speakers the correct form of a word before they learn the shortened or slang form. In Spanish, words are rarely abbreviated. (See sidebar for construction slang to avoid.) For more effective communication on your job site, it’s best to avoid slipping on slang as much as possible.

Construction Slang to Avoid: Teach non-native speakers the correct form of a word before using the shortened or slang form. In Spanish, words are not usually abbreviated. Here is a list of slang terms to avoid at your job site:

1. ID: Identification
2. Specs: Specifications
3. Prep: Preparation
4. Fudge: Not using precise design specifications
5. On the bubble: Level
6. Op: Equipment operator
7. Pipe fighter: Pipe fitter
8. Pump up the volume: Work faster
9. Super: Supervisor
10. Roach Coach: Lunch van