tecnicismi

Tecnicismi is the plural of tecnicismo. In Italian, the term describes the use or presence of specialized or technical language, methods, or practices that are characteristic of a domain. In rhetoric and communication, tecnicismi refer to jargon or field-specific terms that may be unnecessary for general audiences. In a broader sense, the term can also denote an ideology of technicism, the belief that technology or technical expertise should be the primary or defining solution to social, economic, or political problems.

Derived from tecnico + -ismo, the word spans linguistic and ideological meanings. In linguistics, it denotes the reliance on precise, domain-specific vocabulary; in philosophy and sociology of technology, tecnicismi or tecnicism can indicate an overemphasis on technical methods, sometimes at the expense of human, ethical, or social considerations.

While tecnicismi can enhance accuracy and efficiency in professional settings (engineering, medicine, data science), excessive use can reduce accessibility, create gatekeeping, and hinder public understanding. Communicators may mitigate by defining terms, using glossaries, or adopting plain language when appropriate. In technical writing, the balance between precision and clarity is often a deliberate choice.

Related concepts include jargon, terminologia, plain language, and technocracy. The term is used in Italian-language discourse as well as discussed in comparative linguistics and science and technology studies.