The Challenge of Working with Aviation English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and Creating Quality Audit Discrepancies
1/ We have several industry generic problems within the environment of Aviation Technical Communications, in particular related to the communication of audit findings.
a) Use of unfamiliar Abbreviations together with too long sentences, often related to regulatory requirements.
b) Insufficient details in the documentation of the finding which leads to ambiguity and misunderstanding.
c) Using complicated word structures with additional unnecessary content.
2/ We typically see several industry generic problems within the environment of Aviation Technical Communications, in particular related to the communication of audit findings.
a) Use of unfamiliar Abbreviations together with too long sentences, often related to regulatory requirements.
b) Insufficient details in the documentation of the finding which leads to ambiguity and misunderstanding.
c) Using complicated word structures with additional unnecessary content.
3/ So as a General Rule
Either
a) Avoid the use of Abbreviations
Or
b) Always write the abbreviation in full the first time followed by the chosen abbreviation term.
4/ Keep to simple and effective sentence structure with clear and unambiguous meaning.
5/ The following types of error are evident within the Aviation Environment related to the generation of written instruction
a) The task is complex
b) The task instructions are complex
c) The communication channel interferes with good communication
d) Time pressure prevents the Manager, Supervisor of Operative, from asking other people for help
e) The potential to appear foolish prevents additional questions – leading to “knowledge assumption”
f) The Auditee has inadequate written English ability
g) The Auditee is unwilling to expose their lack of English
6/ Please consider the following different error driving scenarios
Verbal – Synchronous Errors occur in communication
Non Verbal – Asynchronous occur in written communication
Native English speakers with different regional English accents (e.g. UK, India, and Caribbean) create additional challenges to promote adequate communications.
7/ Consider the following mitigation possibilities
a) The text uses terminology consistent with other documents
b) The text follows good design practice
In General follow these “steps” when creating a finding!
1/ What is the issue?
2/ Why is it an issue? (Expand on the explanation if required)
3/ What is the standard that makes this an issue?
8/ Factors which improve overall document “Usability”
a) The General Readability of the document
b) Continuity within the document and attachments
c) The ease of locating information within the document
d) The possibility or chance of missing Information
e) Ease of understanding of the information delivered by the document
f) Consistency and Compatibility within the organisational system
j) The use of simple Aviation English Language
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