Which of the following is a barrier to effective communication?

• A. Clear language
• B. Jargon
• C. Regular feedback
• D. Short messages

Answer: (B)

Barriers to effective communication are anything that stops the message from being understood. Jargon fits here because it uses specialized terms or abbreviations that only people in a specific field understand. When the audience isn’t familiar with those terms, the message becomes unclear, take longer to interpret, and can lead to misunderstandings or mistakes. In a business setting, that slows decisions and can make people feel excluded or confused. Using clear, plain language helps everyone grasp the message quickly, which is why jargon is the barrier among the given options. The other choices actually support effective communication: clear language reduces confusion, regular feedback checks understanding, and short messages prevent information overload.