Language and

Communication in
Aviation
When aviation professionals better understand that
language is an imperfect medium and easily
misinterpreted, they will be careful in their use of
both standardized phraseology and plain language -
and the airways will be safer because of it.
ICAO Proficiency Standards

ICAO Document 9835 4.6

Pronunciation
Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and
intonation are influenced by the
first language or regional variation
but only sometimes interfere with
ease of understanding.
Structure
Basic grammatical structures and
sentence patterns are used creatively
and are just usually well controlled.
Errors may occur, particularly in
unusual or unexpected circumstances,
but rarely interfere with meaning.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary range and accuracy are
usually sufficient to communicate
effectively on common, concrete and
work related topics. Can often
paraphrase successfully when lacking
vocabulary in unusual or unexpected
circumstances.
Fluency
Produces stretch of language at an appropriate
tempo. There may be occasional loss of fluency
on transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech
to spontaneous interaction, but this does not
prevent effective communication. Can make
limited use of discourse markers or connectors.
Fillers are not distracting.
Comprehension
Comprehension is mostly accurate on common,
concrete and work-related topics when the
accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible
for an international community of users. When
the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or
situational complication or an unexpected turn of
events, comprehension may be slower or require
clarification strategies.
Interactions
Responses are usually immediate,
appropriate and informative, Initiates
and maintains exchanges even when
dealing with unexpected turn of events.
Deals adequately with apparent
misunderstandings by checking,
confirming or clarifying.
What can you say about these?

What's the difference between standard

phraseology and plain language?
Describe situations from your perspective
in which you had to use plain language.
Why do you think that Brian Day, an ex-
controller, says that language is an
'imperfect medium'?
So what is ‘Standard Phraseology’?

Standard phraseology is a formulaic

language code which prescribes concise,
unambiguous and universally
accepted utterances to be used in
specific situations (Chapter 12 of ICAO
Document 4444: Air Traffic Management.)
So what is ‘Standard Phraseology’?

ICAO Standard Phraseology shall be used

in all situations for which it has
been specified. Only when standardized
phraseology cannot serve an intended
transmission, plain language shall be used
(ICAO Annex 10, Volume II, 5.1.1.1)
Situations where ATC can
recourse to plain language
1. sick/injured passenger/crew
2. aircraft damage/system failure
3. severe/unexpected weather
4. FOD/ground obstacles/incursion
5. ground and navigation equipment failure
6. terror threat
7. re-routing
Remember

Plain phraseology used by ATC and pilots should be

formulaic and formal than normal standard English
It is pronounced clearly with no contractions
Example
What is the condition of your passenger? versus How's
your passenger?
The cabin crew are administering first aid. versus The
crew are treating his injuries
1.1 Listen to the following transmissions. Write
SP if the utterance is in standard phraseology
and PL if it is in plain language.
No accident or incident has one single
cause but poor communication is a cause
Radiotelephony causes misunderstanding
because it has no visual cues
Fragility of oral communication; small
deviation can have significant
consequences
Vocabulary confusion: use of actual when current is
meant
Readback error: Descend to FL190 can be Descent FL150
Non-standard phraseology: Maintain 160 instead of
Maintain HEADING 160
Incorrect or imprecise use of English: We extinguish the
fire instead of We are extinguishing/will extinguish/have
extinguished the fire
Garbled message: inaudible or missing word/phrase
Incorrect pronunciation: saying surface instead of service
1.02 Listen to transmission. Match
transmissions (1-6) to reasons (a-f).

a. vocabulary transmission
b. readback error
c. non-standard phraseology
d. incorrect/imprecise grammar use
e. garbled message
f. incorrect pronunciation
Sometimes, I won't catch the numbers in frequency
change, name of fix or off-route waypoints because
they might be pronounced differently.
United Airline Transport Pilot International Flight Language
Experiences Report 2: Word Meaning and Pronunciation
Which aspect of language have you
found to create the most obstacles to
a complete understanding?
In pairs, identify the word which is incorrect in the sentences
below. Propose a more appropriate word. Explain in class the
difference in meaning between the two words.

1. The cabin crew have reported an unruly passenger in

the after cabin.
2. The smoke fumes being sucked into the air conditioning
system could pose a threat to the passengers' security.
3. We have an elderly passenger who has suffered a
stroke. Request information about the nearest
alternative?
4. All strangers will have to fill in immigration cards.
In pairs, identify the word which is incorrect in the sentences
below. Propose a more appropriate word. Explain in class the
difference in meaning between the two words.

5. We have three passengers suffering from severe concussion and

bruises, and will request an ambulance when we reach the stand.
6. The Antonov 124 made a hardly landing and may have some
damage to the gear and tires.
7. Number 2 engine ingested some birds during climb-out. Engine
performance seems okay, but we are controlling the indications.
8. I'm waiting for some vegetarian meat trays to be delivered by
catering, the we'll be ready to depart.
1.03 Listen to the ten transmission. Each has a
word pronounced incorrectly. Cross out the word
you hear and encircle the intended word.

1. quite/quiet 1. feet/feed
2. loose/lose 2. ridge/rich
3. services/surfaces 3. ice/eyes
4. wheel/well 4. watching/washin
5. array/area g
5. heat/hit
1.04 Listen to 10 sentences and determine ending
for words listed below. Write NONE for words
with no ending.

1. lift 1. clear
2. disconnect 2. slow
3. service 3. check
4. clear 4. disconnect
5. turn 5. reduce
Look at transmissions (1-6). Determine which is in
standard phraseology and which is in plain language.

1. Request departure information

2. Expect startup time at 1938 due traffic
3. Which is the latest ATIS information?
4. Maintain 3,000 feet until glide path interception
5. Taxiing to hold point Runway 17 Left
6. What sort of assistance do you require on
arrival?
1.07. Listen to eight
transmissions and match them to
pictures (a-h)
1.07. Listen again and identify type
of transmission. Mark each
transmission Instruction, Request or
Information
1.09. Listen to 10 communications.
Explain why each could be
misunderstood.
1.09. Listen again and formulate a
question to clarify the original
message
AIRPROX TCAS ATIS
RVR EGPWS ETOPS
IAF ILS in.Hg LDA
MSA RVSM
1.11. Listen to these abbreviations and
identify the order with which you hear them.

ALL ETA
ACC IAS
ACARS INS
ASI IRS
EFIS OAT
Identify the abbreviations on
previous slide
Look at the words (a-l). Match with
their definitions.