A Multilingual Speaker in Global Aviation Communication

Many flights operate in different countries and aviation communication takes place mainly between non-native speakers of English. Unfortunately, real life professional discourse seems to go beyond its prescribed standardization. Moreover, it still happens that many languages are used simultaneously on the frequency. This paper investigates the matter of multilingual usefulness in global aviation communication. The author presents the current state of affairs and discusses whether or not operational personnel need to know how to speak multiple languages or if it is better to speak only prescribed Aeronautical English. Empirically based research is also presented. What matters in a given context and especially in a particular non-standard or emergency situation is the language used for professional communication, but in the aviation context it is not only the communication between parties involved that really counts. All the users of airspace should understand words uttered by their colleagues present at frequency in order to be able to correct wrong instructions or react in case of distress.