Semantic Transformations of English Verbs in Pilot-controller Communication

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Semantic Transformations of English Verbs in Pilot-controller Communication

О.І. Moskalenko

Air-Ground communication is the passage of voice and data between an aircraft and a ground station such as air traffic control or aircraft operating agency (Until data link communication comes into widespread use, air traffic control will continue to depend heavily upon voice communications, which are affected by various factors. Any breakdown in communication between pilot and ATCO can result in a hazardous situation, especially in controlled airspace. Alternative means of communication do currently exist but they are still very limited in their capability to substitute for radiotelephony as usually employed.

Problems with Air-Ground Communications have been a significant cause or a contributory factor in many aircraft accidents and serious incidents. That is why, the purpose of the article is to highlight the main differences in the usage of verbs in radio communication between pilots and controllers.

Different aspects of linguistic problems of term translation (etymology of term-formation; terminology antinomies; terminology synonymy and homonymy; term standardization; translation transformations and others) have been researched in scientific papers of B. Golovina, T. Kiyaka, In. Karabana, D. Lotte, Z. Kudel'ko, F. Citkinoy and other scientists.

Communication breakdown may result from: failure to hear or to respond to a message because of communication equipment problems caused by malfunction or complete failure of aircraft or ground equipment - becoming less of an issue with improved system redundancy; radio interference, which makes the message difficult or impossible to read; blocked transmission; call-sign confusion - the message was wrongly addressed or was taken by another aircraft; Flight crew unintended mismanagement of radio frequency or box selection - which remains one of the main causes of prolonged loss of communication; a breakdown in radio discipline resulting in the pilot receiving and acting on an incorrect version of the message passed, due to failure to use standard phraseology; poor language skills; failure of the read-back / hear-back process; effects [1].

Communication breakdown may result in the pilot not flying the required vertical profile which may lead to a level bust, or not following the required horizontal profile. Either situation may cause the aircraft to make an unauthorized entry of designated airspace (airspace infringement) which may lead to disruption of air traffic causing risk to other airspace users and increased workload for pilots and controllers, or may put the infringing aircraft at risk from ground hazards such as artillery firing. Either situation can lead to loss of separation from other aircraft, or airborne objects (Balloons or parachutists, for example) which may result in collision. Level bust may also lead to collision with an obstacle or the ground (CFIT). Injury, especially to cabin crew or passengers, may be occasioned by sudden maneuvers to avoid collision with other aircraft or the ground, or as a result of a wake vortex turbulence encounter. The pilot changing to an incorrect frequency or not implementing a frequency change, leading to: loss of situation awareness; Inability to respond to further clearance or to emergency instructions, e.g. avoiding action. Contributory Factors are: pilot workload; ATCO workload; inadequate language proficiency; Frequency congestion; non-standard phraseology; radio interference; distractions or interruptions; fatigue; weather; emergency communications [2, p. 53].

The importance of using English verbs in communication is really difficult to overestimate. In Aviation context they undergo some semantical transformations. It means, that they have specific meaning in professional situations. In table 1 we describe the meaning of standardized verbs according to ICAO documents [3, p. 15; 4].

Table 1 Differences in the Meaning of the Verbs in General English and Aviation Radio Communication

There is no doubt in the practical value of translation of English aviation terminology in safety of flights. According to the report of the Interstate Aviation committee, the appearance of airlines of CIS states on international airways has resulted in the considerable increase of aviation events and catastrophes due to lack of English language proficiency. One of the main reasons of aviation catastrophes is the insufficient understanding in the process of radio communication between pilots and controllers, improper translation of aviation terms and their transmission through radio communication channels.

So, due to the increasing of air traffic the necessity of high safety standards is taking place in the world aviation. The research of the professional aviation English terminology is based on the studying of the appropriate ways of term-formation, proper usage of verbs and their forms. Aviation terminology is still developing; that is why it is more effective to apply all ways of professional translation for full and adequate understanding in the process of pilot-controller's communication.

We can advice the following recommendations for pilots and controllers in their professional communication:

1. Ask for verification of any ATC instruction about which there is a doubt. Don't read back a “best guess” at a clearance, expecting ATC to catch any mistakes. Sometimes controller can miss erroneous pilot readbacks.

2. Ask for clarification or repeat of any unclear transmission. Don't hesitate to ask again. Try to give a precise readback.

3. Don't expect to “hear what you want to hear”. The actual clearance may be different from what you expect because the air traffic situation may change.

4. Controller silence is not confirmation of a readback's correctness, especially during peak traffic periods. Require verbal confirmation from a controller. Clear understanding between a controller and a pilot is absolutely essential for a smooth and safe flight.

Therefore, we think that further researches can be conducted in the aspect of standardization of English and Ukrainian aviation terminology and the development of aviation term system.

aviation verb semantic transformation

References

1. Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language proficiency Requirements : Doc 9835 AN / 453. - ICAO, 2004.

2. Сириченко М. А. Aviation English for pilots and Air Traffic Controllers : учебное пособие / Сириченко М. А. - Донецк, 2012. - 223 с.

3. Robertson A. F. Airspeak / A. Fiona Robertson. - Centre of Applied Linguistics, France : UK LTD, 2008. - 222 p.

4. Фразеологія англійською мовою для льотного складу : Навч. посіб. / Укладачі : А. М. Вітряк, Н. В. Омельяненко // під ред. А. М. Вітряка. - Кіровоград, 2007. - 184 с.

Москаленко О.І. Семантичні трансформації англійських дієслів у повітряному зв'язку між пілотом та диспетчером

У статті проаналізовано специфічні риси англійської мови ІСАО як важливого складника безпеки польотів; окреслені тенденції до англомовної професійної підготовки авіаційних фахівців у льотних навчальних закладах; схарактеризовані пріоритетні напрями сучасних підходів до навчання англійської мови у авіаційних навчальних закладах; наголошено на важливості критеріїв та дескрипторів мовних умінь й навичок відповідно до кваліфікаційної мовної шкали ІСАО; виокремлено групу дієслів, які мають певні семантичні трансформації у радіозв'язку між пілотом та диспетчером.

Ключові слова: ІСАО, англійська мова, професійна підготовка, авіаційні фахівці, міжнародні стандарти, дієслово, семантична трансформація.

Москаленко Е.И. Семантические трансформации английских глаголов в воздушной связи между пилотом и диспетчером

В статье проанализированы специфические черты английского языка ІСАО как важной составляющей части безопасности полетов; очерчены тенденции к англоязычной профессиональной подготовке авиационных специалистов в летных учебных заведениях Украины; подчеркнута важность критериев и дескрипторов языковых умений и навыков согласно квалификационной языковой шкалы ІСАО; охарактеризована группа глаголов, которые имеют трансформации в радыопередачах между пилотом и диспетчером.

Ключевые слова: ІСАО, английский язык, профессиональная подготовка, авиационные специалисты, международные стандарты, глагол, семантическая трансформация.

Moskalenko O.I. Semantic Transformations of English Verbs in Pilot-controller Communication

The article is devoted to the analysis of requirements of ICAO in relation to the levels of English on international airways. In the article the author proves the importance of role of ICAO fourth level of English in the process of professional activity of aviation specialists. Methodology of flight studying is a result of collective creative job performance, based on experience of teachers, pilot-instructors and controller-instructors. Their experience of flights is discussed at methodical seminars and implemented into the educational programs, aviation techniques, and general methodical strategies. Then the generalized experience, which is based on principles of studying, is checked up in practice and serves as the foundation of the methodical material for professional preparation of pilots and controllers. The specific features of ICAO Aviation English as an important factor of safety of flights have been analyzed in the article; the tendencies concerning professional preparation of English for aviation specialists at Flight educational institutions of Ukraine have been outlined; cholistic criteria and descriptors of linguistic skills and proficiency have been described according to linguistic qualification scale of ICAO; priority directions of the modern approaches in teaching of English at Flight educational institutions have been selected. Taking into account the construction of the system of professional preparation of future aviation specialists, and, having studied the main provisions of researches in this aspect, in the article the author analyzes concepts “verb”, “characteristic”, “level” and “semantic transformation” in the context of professional preparation of aviation specialists and radio communication between pilots and controllers.

Key words: ICAO, Aviation English, professional preparation, aviation specialists, international standards, verb, semantic transformation.

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