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...

Yes, 90% of the French controllers speak with broken English. When indeed they speak English, that is.

Maybe 90% of the french controllers speak english but I am sure that les than 10% of the english controllers speak a foreign language.

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....:uhoh:

You mean like at Manchester? :D

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

Dave

Ey oop lad, we tark proper oop ere, tha knows
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

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:mad: 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???

<<<
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."

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-**** :)

GCC
Funny thing is, Chig actually talks like that!!!!! Except for his posh ATIS voice!!!!
Chiglet
Keep counting down the days!!! All the best...

Cheers you young whipersnapper
same to you
we aim t'pleeease laike, cus it keeps t'cleeaner 'appy, tha'knows

Wasn't aviation invented by the English speaking world,Cayley,Wright Bros. et al. Therefore the appropriate language should be English.

Still fishing.

:( 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....:oh:

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?:8

Well done Loulou and Priscilla!!!
 

Well done, Loulou, Priscilla and Spodman. Loc-out is another typical example of narrow-mindedness...:ouch: :} It is time to open your eyes, Loc-out....:rolleyes:
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...

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.

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.

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. :sad:

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

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.

Very well put indeed chaps.

I could not have dreamt of putting it better myself.

A very serious issue this. Something that involves safety.

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.