As I understand it, it is an ICAO agreement/requirement that the aviation language was to be English. Or is it the case the French and French speakers have made exemptions, to suit themselves.
Wrong! Again, this is a typical French-bashing argument! What language do you expect "south of the river"?
I had a previous argument about dual languages on ATC and ICAO. I don't have the exact reference with me now (out of town), but ICAO states that if you cannot use the language (other than English) that is being used by ATC than English should be used. I am pretty sure that in Brazil Portuguese is used for ATC communications. I know a part of Brazil where a local Indian language is used for ATC. Long story short: English is not the only international language that can be used for ATC.
I have done some personal research on that matter and the only major accident that comes to my attention is the one @ CDG. As far as I have researched I don't think that the use of French was the only reason for this accident.
If a pilot/flight crew is concerned about a foreign language that is being used on the radio, he should increase his situational awareness, especially on the ground!
Mid-air collisions, take-off/landing accidents etc. have happened in "English-only spoken airspace" as well. I think that dual languages are not a safety hazard. On the reverse, a flight crew can become too complacent if ATC is only conducted in English.
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