Applied linguistics and aviation englishes

Convenors:

Markus BIESWANGER, University of Bayreuth, Germany, GAL (organizer liaising with the ReN coordinator)
Eric FRIGINAL, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, AAAL
Malila PRADO, United International College, China, ALAB
Scope :

Aviation is, no doubt, one of the most international of all industries world-wide. As a result, communication between interlocutors who do not share the same cultural background and/or first language is the norm rather than the exception. Such communication can occur in a number of different contexts – for example, between pilots and air traffic controllers, between a captain and a first officer on the flight deck, between pilots and ground staff, between cabin crew and passengers, and many more – and is primarily conducted in English, either by prescription or convention. Much research focuses on the safety-critical voice-based interaction between pilots and air traffic controllers in air traffic management. In international aviation, this kind of communication is supposed to be conducted in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in a number of documents, in order to ensure effective and efficient communication. These SARPs, which are among the few genuinely global language policies, are primarily defined in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation on “Personnel Licencing” (ICAO 2018), Volume 2: “Aeronautical Telecommunications” of Annex 10 (ICAO 2016a), supplemented by documents such as ICAO Doc 4444 Air Traffic Management (ICAO 2016b), Doc 9432 Manual of Radiotelephony (ICAO 2007), Doc 9835 Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements (ICAO 2010), and Doc 10197 Test Design Guidelines Handbook on the Design of Tests for the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements(ICAO 2024). Applied linguists play an important role in the development of each of these documents, the analysis of the language used in actual air traffic control communication in routine and non-routine situations, including variation in real-life interactions, and the design and evaluation of teaching and testing resources.

Based on the productive and inspiring symposium on “Standardization and Diversity in Aviation English” at the AILA World Congress 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, featuring established and emerging researchers on Aviation English(es) from five different continents, the Research Network (ReN) “Applied Linguistics and Aviation English(es)” is designed to provide a link between these and additional researchers in Applied Linguistics, to facilitate collaboration to tackle language-related real-world problems associated with international aviation, and to disseminate applied linguistic research on Aviation English(es). The ReN focusses primarily, but not exclusively, on interaction between pilots and air traffic controllers, but can be expanded to other aviation-related topics as needed. Among many other things, applied linguistic research can support the understanding and awareness of language as a factor in aviation and aviation safety, identify and address issues that need attention and suggest possible solutions. Applied linguists also often serve as a bridge between the many stakeholders in aviation communications. Due to the truly international nature of aviation and the role of AILA as the global umbrella organization of Applied Linguistics, adopting a broad interpretation of the field, an AILA ReN is the ideal applied linguistic anchor for the multi- and interdisciplinary research conducted on Aviation English(es) and gives such research a recognizable home.

Highlight of 3 scientific works by ReN members:

Friginal, Eric, Elizabeth Mathews and Jennifer Roberts. 2019. English in Global Aviation: Context, Research, Pedagogy. London et al.: Bloomsbury.
Friginal Eric, Malila Prado & Jennifer Roberts (eds.). 2024. Global Aviation English Research. London: Bloomsbury.
Bieswanger, Markus. 2025. World Englishes and air traffic control communication: implications for Applied Linguistics. World Englishes 44.
Some members:

William AGIUS, Zurich University for Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Markus BIESWANGER, University of Bayreuth, Germany
Dominique ESTIVAL, Australia
Eric FRIGINAL, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Noriko ISHIHARA, Hosei University, Japan
Hyejong KIM, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Elizabeth MATHEWS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, United States of America
Malila PRADO, United International College, China
Andrew SCHNEIDER, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, United States of America
Patrícia TOSQUI LUCKS, Airspace Control Institute (ICAE), Brazil