DOMINANT EXCHANGE STRUCTURES IN AVIATION RADIOTELEPHONY DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of dominant exchange structures in English radiotelephony discourse. The author states that the usage of standard phraseology is one of the most important factors in aviation safety, as it enables fast and efficient communication despite language ambiguity and it reduces misunderstandings. The article proves that incidents and accidents have occurred in which a contributing factor has been the use of non-standard procedures and phraseology. All these cases show the influence of human factor in aviation. In some instances, the use of language contributes directly or indirectly to an accident. At other times, language is a link in the chain of events which exacerbates the problem. Three ways are determined as contributing factors in accidents and incidents: incorrect use of standardized phraseologies; lack of plain language proficiency; and the use of more than one language in the same airspace. The term «professional discourse» is defined as the text immersed in professional life. The main features are described, they are professional orientation; verification; dialogueness; closeness; linguistic normativity; special stylistic layering. Aviation radiotelephone discourse is defined as aviation specialists’ communication which aims at the verbal exchange of professional information in the flight process with the help of radiotelephony. Exchange structures are based on the most frequently occurring conversational patterns in the given contexts. Familiarity with the scripts for a given situation plays an important role in the fluent and accurate production and comprehension of language in dialogue situations. It facilitates the ability to plan participation ahead of time on the basis of the expected course of the conversation. The principal components of these scripts are “moves” and “exchanges”. Three basic types of exchange patterns are defined: two moves initiated by the controller; three moves initiated by the controller; three moves initiated by the pilot.