Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Misc. Forums > Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)
Reload this Page >

controllers with broken english

Wikiposts
Search

Notices
Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner) If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.

controllers with broken english

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 29th September 2003 | 22:39
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: temporarily unsure :-)
controllers with broken english

How do you cope with controllers with broken english? this is obviously a considerable safety issue, but it must also lead to some very funny exchanges. What have your experiences been...
RUDAS is offline  
Old 29th September 2003 | 22:43
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: U.A.E.
Yes, 90% of the French controllers speak with broken English. When indeed they speak English, that is.
Loc-out is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 00:08
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: belgique
Maybe 90% of the french controllers speak english but I am sure that les than 10% of the english controllers speak a foreign language.
loulou is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 00:20
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
Personally I have a lot of fun with the Indonesian controllers.
Funnily enough it doesn't seem to make much difference whether I understand or not....
robmac is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 05:26
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: California USA
How do you cope with controllers with broken english?
You mean like at Manchester?

I am horrified that I was the first one to take that sort of jab...

Dave
av8boy is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 05:32
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,020
Likes: 0
From: Near Stalyvegas
Ey oop lad, we tark proper oop ere, tha knows
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
chiglet is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 06:38
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: U.A.E.
loulou

Yes, an old argument this.

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.

This, to me explains why the UN for instance, are a complete and utter shambles and in the most part are a waste of f g money. One of the main causes of this, is there has to be certain conditions for the French and French speaking hangers on, over and above what has been agreed by everyone else.

A common language cannot even be enforced as agreed within aviation, so what can be agreed of any consequence which involves the new master race of Europe???
Loc-out is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 06:39
  #8 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: London
<<<
Ey oop lad, we tark proper oop ere, tha knows
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
>>>

Chiglet, I'd have thought for once you'd want to change your "handle" to :

" 'Appen, we eeim tuh please, it keeps' cleaners chuffed."
Golf Charlie Charlie is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 23:32
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
Arriving @ MAN a month ago:

ATC (presumably to light a/c): G-****, what are your intentions?
G-****: Eeh, ah don't raatly know. There's weather all around us.

Hope you made it OK, G-****
Basil is offline  
Old 30th September 2003 | 23:50
  #10 (permalink)  
25 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 535
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
GCC
Funny thing is, Chig actually talks like that!!!!! Except for his posh ATIS voice!!!!
Chiglet
Keep counting down the days!!! All the best...
cossack is online now  
Old 1st October 2003 | 02:09
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,020
Likes: 0
From: Near Stalyvegas
Cheers you young whipersnapper
same to you
we aim t'pleeease laike, cus it keeps t'cleeaner 'appy, tha'knows
chiglet is offline  
Old 1st October 2003 | 04:52
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: wrong place
Wasn't aviation invented by the English speaking world,Cayley,Wright Bros. et al. Therefore the appropriate language should be English.

Still fishing.
crab is offline  
Old 4th October 2003 | 02:01
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Aix en Provence, France
you talk about broken english...and the first answer...is about french people......??? What's the problem with us??? I think english training is better and better for french ATC...and french is a ICAO language, as well than spanish, russian, and so on....
I don't mind if you want to joke about our funny accent...it makes me laugh too! BUt stop complaining about french people speaking french....
priscilla is offline  
Old 5th October 2003 | 15:06
  #14 (permalink)  
25 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Darraweit Guim, Victoria
Hey Crab, if we follow your theory we would have to take note of WHERE in the English speaking world flight started, and all hold our noses when we speak.

For the same reasons should jet drivers only speak German?
Spodman is offline  
Old 5th October 2003 | 17:37
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: uk
Well done Loulou and Priscilla!!!

Well done, Loulou, Priscilla and Spodman. Loc-out is another typical example of narrow-mindedness... It is time to open your eyes, Loc-out....
Although English is the aviation language, it has also been agreed that other languages could be used (such as French and others...). The French are not the only ones to use their own language for ATC communications, but obviously, they are an easy target...
Let's pretend, for one second, that here in the UK, we would have to be speaking, let's say, Russian, to fly and communicate with ATC... ah ah!!!
Most French controllers can speak English (even in provincial towns!!)... Look at all the Ryanair flights to small places like Rodez (where you only have E airspace) where they never have international traffic: I am sure the controllers do speak English...
The irony is that even "some english speakers do not understand English-speaking ATC because they speak too fast and it is not pronounced properly"... quoted by a friend who is an English tutor (obviously specialised in tyhe English language) and who flies regularly. He flew to France a couple of times and always says that the English of the French controllers was crystal clear and totally readable ....Where is the mistake?
Loc-out, You are the weakest link, goodbye...
Fancy Navigator is offline  
Old 6th October 2003 | 00:10
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Brighton West Sussex
Why should everyone speak the same language?

Well because ATC can make mistakes, I have been in paris cleared to line up from an intersection when a French aircraft has been cleared to take off from the full length. Fortunatley I speak french. I'm sure also that we all remember what hapeened one foggy day at paris when the English pilot didn't.

In Germany they manage to speak english for all clearances but sometimes revert to german if the query is more complicated, would it be that difficult for the french to operate on this basis.

Though really why have this debate at all we all know the french will all do exactly as they like with little interest in everyone else.
Crash1 is offline  
Old 6th October 2003 | 00:14
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: wrong place
Spodman

I believe the Germans got their ideas for the jet engine from the patents of Sir Frank Whittle but I am not 100% certain so undoubtedly someone will put me in my place if I am wrong.

still fishing.
crab is offline  
Old 6th October 2003 | 03:32
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Peoples Republic of EU
Fancy Navigator.

You speak of narrow mindedness with regard to us complaining about French ATC speaking French.

How about narrow mindedness of the French involved in the killing of the Shorts 360 pilot at Paris who was cleared to enter the runway at CDG whilst the same controller cleared IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE a French aircraft to take off on the same runway.

Had the controller spoken english then maybe the pilot would have had better spatial awareness and still be hear today.

However, as usual, French pride should over-ride any safety considerations.

The Germans, Dutch & Danish are happy to speak English and their controlling is to a very high standard. They don't seem to deem speaking english a threat to their cultural identity.
Scottie is offline  
Old 6th October 2003 | 04:19
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Africa
Very well put indeed chaps.

I could not have dreamt of putting it better myself.

A very serious issue this. Something that involves safety.
josephshankes is offline  
Old 6th October 2003 | 20:31
  #20 (permalink)  
ZRH
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: In the CIR
In Germany all coordination between controllers, be it on the phone or intercom, is all done in english. This way they make sure that there are no misunderstandings. Maybe the french could learn something from that.
I dont think there are many ATCs in Germany who have actually learnt the phraseology in german. Maybe some of the older ones will be able to say a phrase or two, but certainly none of the younger guys.
ZRH is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.