“TI’ll update ASAP”, “let’s do a nice thing deep dive” or “let’s stay in perspective team buildingIn the office or during company meetings, we have all heard these phrases at least once: random English words, motivational slogans and hyperbolic phrases that sound good but often mean nothing. The so-called jargon “corporate” has been studied in more detail by some researchers of theCornell University. The study, published by Guardiandemonstrated that those who often use corporate dialect, or are fascinated by it, tend to make worse decisions at work.
The Cornell study: how deception works
Cornell researchers have created a Business Sentence Generatorcomplicated, high-sounding and which say nothing concrete. These sentences were inserted in several questionnaires along with quotes from various company executives. To the participants – managers, CEOs, professionals – were asked to rate how intelligent or convincing the sentences seemed and to choose how to solve some simulated business problems. The result? Those who were most impressed by the company’s language almost always chose the worst solution.
The positive side of corporate language: enthusiasm and motivation
The study showed that those who are fascinated by company jargon perceive their superiors as charismatic and visionary, feel inspired by the company’s mission and experience greater job satisfaction. In short, corporate language can increase motivation, sense of belonging and creativity.
LinkedIn Speak: a translator for business jargon
In 2024, the platform Kagi Translate introduced the function “LinkedIn Speak”, capable of transforming normal texts into hyper-corporate phrases in the typical style of LinkedIn. Long, emphatic sentences full of Englishisms, often used excessively or imprecisely. A clear example of how this linguistic register has now become part of the way many people communicate at work.
It’s not a question of intelligence
Corporate dialect does not discriminate against intelligence: anyone can fall for the deception if the language is packaged to appear convincing. In conclusion, corporate dialect can be a useful tool. But the study highlights its problematic potential: such as that of embellishing content in a deceptive way. There lesson from the Cornell study is clear: be wary of high-sounding phrases, focus on concrete facts and real decisionswithout being dazzled by slogans that sound good but often mean nothing.
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