Technical jargon simplification strategies in agricultural communication: A qualitative case study of Misungwi District, Mwanza, Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigates strategies for simplifying technical jargon in agricultural communication materials produced by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) in Misungwi District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Employing a qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews with 43 participants (peasants, extension officers, and officials) and text analysis of eight TARI leaflets, the study analysed communication strategies that enable the simplification of jargon. Guided by Text Comprehension Theory and Grice’s Cooperative Principle, the findings reveal six key strategies: simplified language with analogies, translanguage, definitions, synonyms, visual aids, and the involvement of peasants in content creation. These methods reduce cognitive load, enhance clarity, and promote the dissemination of inclusive knowledge. The Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders should train extension officers in participatory design and multimodal communication. The results will significantly improve agricultural extension effectiveness in resource-limited and multilingual contexts. The inclusion of peasants in communication crafting and translanguaging should be exploited to enhance proper understanding of the information. The study contributes to bridging expert-peasant gaps for sustainable development by encouraging a participatory communication model that enhances peasants’ understanding of the information.