The Economist takes a dig at language-disadvantaged NGOs
Before I was splitting my time between editing Louisville.com and freelance writing, I was a full-time editor working mostly for Defense and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contractors in the Washington, DC area. “Anyone here speak NGOish?: Africa’s newest country already knows the gobbledegook of aid” in this week’s Economist provides good insight on why there’s no shortage of work for an editor who’s versed in nongovernmental organizations (NGO) speak—although shame on the author for not using “key,” which NGO speak mandates be used to describe everything lest people think the organization is wasting its time with nonessential business.
One of my biggest frustrations was that NGOs often use this insider language when trying to describe their work to outside audiences and then wonder why the can’t make a better connection with those groups. Perhaps someday an editor will help NGOs build their capacity and empower them to use language that communicates better with key stakeholders. Alas, I barely made a dent—although coupled with my jobs in the defense and financial industries, I found enough material to write a 750-word satirical business dictionary.
Tags: Business dictionary, Defense, Editing, My work, NGO, USAID
My writing focuses on travel and culture. I've contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Air Canada's enRoute, BlackBook, Budget Travel, Deadspin, and Louisville Magazine. I'm also the editor-in-chief of Louisville.com and BlackBook's Louisville City Editor.