linguistic issues conitued - 'she' referring to aircraft
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Russia
linguistic issues conitued - 'she' referring to aircraft
hi, my appologies if there a separate aviation english thread here, i couldn't find one. another questions for native-speakers.
how common is it to use 'she' when referring to aircarft? i know sailors may say 'she' when talking about the ship. but i've never heard that in aviation.
is using 'it' a grammar mistake?
thanks
how common is it to use 'she' when referring to aircarft? i know sailors may say 'she' when talking about the ship. but i've never heard that in aviation.
is using 'it' a grammar mistake?
thanks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: France
I don't think it is a grammar mistake, it should even be the contrary, for a native speaker.
However, as a non-native speaker I really don't like it and will tend to use "it" or "he" when referring to my aircraft.
However, as a non-native speaker I really don't like it and will tend to use "it" or "he" when referring to my aircraft.
Joined: Nov 2011
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 509
From: Japan
The simple answer is that if you use 'it' exclusively, you will never be 'wrong'.
The 'mother ship' could be an ocean ship or a spaceship. Like a beautiful yacht, a plane could become 'she' under the right conditions. A car might also be 'she', with a nickname even. When such an inanimate object engenders feelings of love or affection, then people sometimes feel more comfortable giving it a female personality.
The 'mother ship' could be an ocean ship or a spaceship. Like a beautiful yacht, a plane could become 'she' under the right conditions. A car might also be 'she', with a nickname even. When such an inanimate object engenders feelings of love or affection, then people sometimes feel more comfortable giving it a female personality.
Last edited by jolihokistix; 21st January 2017 at 20:47.
