What term refers to language that is specific to a particular field and may not be easily understood by the general public?

The term that refers to language specific to a particular field and may not be easily understood by the general public is jargon. Jargon consists of specialized terms and phrases used within professional or technical contexts, such as medicine, law, or technology. This type of language is often developed to allow for precise communication among individuals within the same field but can create barriers for those outside the specialty, as they may lack familiarity with the specific vocabulary or concepts.

Colloquial language typically refers to informal language and expressions used in everyday conversation, which can vary by region but is generally understood by the general public. Slang includes informal, unconventional words or phrases often specific to particular social groups or subcultures and can change rapidly over time, though it is generally more widely understood than jargon. Compound words are formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with a specific meaning, and while they can be specific in meaning, they do not inherently possess the limited understanding characteristic of jargon.