Terminology Science as a means of improving specialist communication in the domain of aircraft accidents

In aviation, specialist communication can play a safety-critical role. However, owing to the exponential growth of specialist knowledge efficient communication is often impeded. This paper describes some communication barriers that can occur in aviation. In this connection, the inconsistent and ambiguous use of specialist terms in aircraft accident reports will be commented on. As a possible solution for reducing communication obstacles a proposal is made to apply the principles and methods of terminology science - the field of knowledge which deals, among other things, with harmonizing and standardizing concepts and terms of special subject fields. Finally, an ongoing research project will be briefly outlined in which British and German aircraft accident reports are analysed conceptually as well as linguistically with a view to improving not only the use of terms in accident reports but also the representation of specialist knowledge in this area

On conceptual temporal relations: A terminological approach

“Surveying the field of terminology is like trying to read maps before satellites penetrated into every remote corner of the earth. [...] there are also some blank regions on each map on which we find printed: ‘These regions have not yet been explored’ or ‘Hic sunt leones’. [...]. The subject of concept classes and terminological relationships can be placed into this area of uncertainty, of wishful interpretation bordering on phantasy. Most mapmakers claim their existence, virtues and even usefulness, but few are agreed on their exact nature, way of operation or number because some relate their new findings to old patterns of knowledge which have proved useful in other areas of knowledge but are unsuitable here, while others jump ahead and describe relationships without having previously established what, specifically, is being related.” (Sager & Kageura 1994-95: 191

Terminology and translation: A method for researching specialist vocabulary

The paper starts by emphasizing the importance of terminology work for translators. Following this, one possible method for researching specialist vocabulary, based on the author’s research, is presented. Points such as gaining background knowledge, selecting documentation, ‘scanning’ through selected texts, matching terms across languages and storing terms are addressed

Human factors in risk communication: Exploring pilot-controller 'communication awareness'

Following the 1977 Tenerife disaster, Billings and Cheaney (1981) concluded that pilots/controllers are not aware enough of the extensive problems involved in transferring information between each other which contribute to miscommunications. Since then, extensive advances have taken place regarding pilot-controller communications, including Crew Resource Management training, improving radiotelephony phraseology, and redesigning English language training/assessment. Despite these measures though, miscommunications still abound with increasing safety risks (e.g. Eurocontrol, 2006a; 2006b; Barshi and Farris, 2013; Bajaj and Majumdar, 2016). Bajaj and Majumdar have raised the question of why there are still so many problems considering the substantial improvements made and surmise that Billings and Cheaney’s observation of a lack of awareness being contributory could still be valid. Although occasionally mentioned, this notion has barely received attention in pilot-controller communication studies. Following the review of related work, voice recordings containing miscommunications from an accident flight are analysed to see whether communication awareness is detectable and to establish its impact. As there is no common method for analysing it, Nevile’s (2006) conversation analysis method for communication in interaction appears the most feasible one. The results show that communication awareness is identifiable by cues signalling it and contributed to the miscommunications

Aviation safety: An initial exploration of the feasibility of using language engineering technologies for reducing pilot-air traffic control miscommunications

This paper describes some initial investigations into the possibilities of using state-of-the-art language engineering technologies to minimise miscommunications between pilots and air traffic controllers. Despite considerable efforts to remedy this situation by providing solutions that focus almost exclusively on new proposals for making air traffic control (ATC) messages clearer and easier to understand and on better ATC communication training strategies, communication problems persist. In order to demonstrate this, we provide two examples from an aircraft accident and incident report respectively, both of which were identified as featuring communication problems between pilots and ATC. Results describe the types of miscommunication in their situational and operational contexts. It is then argued that employing automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine translation (MT) techniques would have the potential to reduce these communication problems and hence might have contributed to preventing the accident and the incident from happening. This paper presents a snapshot of our initial work as well as thoughts on its future development, including a description of how an ASR-MT communication system might be designed and implemented into the flight deck and ATC workspaces respectively and how this system may impact on mental workload, situation awareness, and attention allocation

Pilot-controller communication issues and an initial exploration of language-engineering technologies as a potential solution

Despite considerable research into communication problems between pilots and controllers, conducted from a variety of angles, such problems continue to exist. While Barshi and Farris have recently stated that “misunderstandings occur with an alarming frequency” (Barshi and Farris 2013: 15), the data on which this quote is based stem from research published almost 35 years ago. With no current studies available that analyze the current levels of communication issues, this study therefore presents a small-scale study consisting of three independent data analyses with the aim of determining the extent to which such issues still present a problem

Functional outcome of tendoachilles following Ponseti’s tenotomy for treatment of congenital talipes equino varus in children older than two years

Background: Long term results of tenotomy and Ponseti technique are established worldwide. However, functions of Tendoachilles following Ponseti’s tenotomy in these cases i.e. idiopathic/neglected/operated/relapsed clubfeet (after casting or surgical correction) are not established. Tendoachilles regeneration after tenotomy has been confirmed on USG and MRI but only a few studies have done functional evaluation of tendoachilles. This study was done to evaluate the functional outcome of tendoachilles after tenotomy in patients older than two years presenting with CTEV. This study also assessed the influence of age and any previous treatment on tenotomy.Methods: In this study, 42 children (68 clubfeet) were seen in the two year study period. Children between 2-13 years coming to the outpatient department for treatment using the Ponseti’s method were followed during and after completion of treatment for 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups-first according to age and second according to previous treatment. Clinical evaluation of tendoachilles regeneration was done by evaluating the child’s ability to stand on tip of toes on single leg and walking ability.Results: The ability to stand on tip of toes after removal of the final cast was delayed maximum in the previously operated patients (9.5 weeks), lesser in patients who were previously treated by casting (7.3 weeks) and least in neglected patients (7 weeks). It also increased as the age increased (2-5 years age group required 7.4 weeks whereas 11-13 years age group required 16 weeks). Neglected patients started walking earlier (4.6 weeks) as compared to patients treated conservatively (4.8 weeks) or operatively (7.2 weeks). Younger children started walking earlier (age 2-5 years required 4.7 weeks whereas 11-13 years age group required 12 weeks). Conclusions: Functional evaluation of tendoachilles showed that all children who had tenotomy could walk and stand on tip of toes irrespective of age and previous treatment. However, older child and children having history of previous treatment, required longer time for recovery