15/11/2012
破解術語密碼
朋友圈內不乏攝影發燒友,有的更是攝影師。每次這班龍友圍在一起時,我猶如身在異域,他們一串又一串的字母數字我完全聽不懂,ISO600、5D、1D、D5200、RGB、12fps……若然好奇八掛借問聲他們甚麼是ISO600、12fps,通常會換來一句 -「講你都唔明!」
買電腦又是一宗頭痛事!電腦我是不壞不換,或慢得忍無可忍,才會更換。購買時,我會對店員說要最輕、最快、容量最多的,相信這樣又可以用個三年。不過,香港的服務真好,有次店員不厭其煩解釋:「現在最快的是i7,這台電腦有4GB RAM、1TB,但是它不是最輕。這部最輕,但只有i3、2GB RAM、500GB…bla bla bla…」我還是請朋友代勞好了。朋友明知我是電腦白癡,簡單問了句:「你同一時間在電腦最多用甚麼﹖電腦要帶出門用嗎﹖」
專門專業的術語(jargons)對於門外漢實在是神祕密碼,要有效傳達訊息給普羅大眾,需用淺白語言直接簡明點出這些規格(specifications)的好處,這樣才可以吸引消費者。當然,術語也有存在價值。例如,這台新型號電腦比舊的快兩倍,同一品牌的產品我們尚可這樣比較,但是品牌不同,如何比對﹖假如知道新型號快兩倍是因為CPU由i5升級至i7,RAM多了2GB,就可以比較它們的規格,以知道那個款式較合用抵買。
我在網上找來兩個不錯的實例供大家參考,其賣點與術語的表達都清晰易懂,既有效指出產品服務的優勢和好處,同時又重點教育消費者和讀者某些術語背後的意義。
例一. Apple (蘋果電腦)
介紹新iMac的版面將滿是術語的Tech Specs與淺白語言的Features、Design和Performance的資料分開欄目。Tech Specs分類表列,大大方便消費者比較。形容Features、Design和Performance時,難免用到術語,又或者是故意使用術語,但每次提到術語,必然以淺白用語解釋,說明好處。例如:
“iMac uses NVIDIA’s new Kepler graphics architecture to deliver up to 60 percent faster graphics performance than the previous generation. That translates into more frames per second, smoother animation, and better responsiveness when you’re using graphics-intensive apps like 3D games, high-resolution photo and video editors, and more.”
例二. Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ; 香港學術及職業資歷評審局)
“The HKCAAVQ provides accreditation service for Non-local Learning Programme (NLP) ... The accreditation conducted by the HKCAAVQ benchmarks the NLP learning programme against Hong Kong’s education system…an NLP accredited by the HKCAAVQ enjoys similar status to locally-accredited programmes...
Why Seek NLP accreditation?
Accredited NLP qualifications attained by individual students will be recognised as meeting the standard of particular qualifications obtained in Hong Kong. Full-time students enrolled in tertiary-level NLPs accredited by the HKCAAVQ are eligible for the Government’s Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)...
Briefing and Training Workshop
From time to time the HKCAAVQ organises briefing sessions and training workshops to update operators with information about the NLP accreditation services...”
首先,HKCAAVQ用縮寫前,必定先寫出全寫。由於這些全寫都不涉及術語,不用多作解釋。這樣寫行內行外的人都看得明白,縮寫又可避免冗長的全寫佔去的篇幅太多,將重要的訊息埋藏。
另外,受眾或不明白為甚麼要申請accreditation(評審),點出因由自當以受眾的好處做出發點。
HKCAAVQ又兼顧到不同受眾,例如舉辦工作坊介紹評審給營辦課程的機構,真人講解,即時發問,保證清楚明白。
運用術語後,記得自動幫讀者破解密碼!
蘋果電腦:
http://www.apple.com/hk/en/imac/
香港學術及職業資歷評審局
http://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/services/accreditation/non-local-learning-programmes
【香港好去處】etnet全新頻道盛大推出!全港最齊盛事活動資訊盡在掌握!► 即睇