A Language of Our Own

One of the biggest compliments that I received on my book, The Flight Level Chronicles, came via a review posted on Amazon.com. The reviewer stated that the book was "easy to read, with no aviation jargon." Truth told, eliminating aviation-speak was a conscious goal as I wrote and it was rewarding to learn that a reader appreciated the effort. There was a reason for my avoidance of aviation jargon. I wanted the book to be as interesting and enjoyable to those with no background in aviation as it would be to those who make a living in the field.

Every group has a language of its own, whether the group is an ethnic culture, a profession or an organization. Language is important to a culture. It is an element that bonds and provides a common frame of reference for the group. A native language is learned early and mastery is important to attaining a sense of inclusion. Yet, a group's unique vocabulary can unwittingly exclude outsiders or confuse newcomers.

1. The unique language

During the lifespan of our aviation business, we published a newsletter that included a column called "The Pet Peeve Corner." Customers were encouraged to provide content, sharing anything that was bothersome, along with a recommended solution. The goal was to raise awareness and through that process, reduce or eliminate the troubling behavior. One of our customers who was a seasoned pilot provided a suggestion for the benefit of the many less experienced aviators who operated from our busy airport.

 "Let's think about the language we use on the radio," he said. "For example, students and even newly certificated private pilots don't have any idea what it means when we say, 'outer marker inbound on the ILS.' We'll all be safer if we indicate our exact position from the runway in terms that everyone can understand.” This excellent suggestion was published in the newsletter and helped to raise my personal awareness of the confusion that any special language can cause.

Organizations also have their own language, unique to each individual corporate culture. Acronyms, nicknames and special-purpose words are in use within virtually every business. Although a company's native tongue connects those who are insiders to the organization, it can be a barrier for customers, new employees and others. Leaders can help these individuals by maintaining awareness of the impact of unique words and abbreviations, providing explanation and clarification when needed.





"Marker Inbound" Has Little Relevance to New Pilots
Photo by Lillian LeBlanc


2. Jargon and the newcomer

Using the example from our newsletter, it is easy to see how jargon can confuse a newcomer to a group. "Outer marker inbound" has specific meaning to a pilot of advanced skill who is familiar with the nuances of flying in clouds. However, a new private pilot may not realize that the announcement tells of an aircraft that is flying straight into the runway in use, and is about five miles away.

Business jargon may be specific to an industry or unique to an organization. Either way, it may confound new employees or confuse customers. They may be reluctant to ask for clarification, not wishing to be considered ignorant. Lack of understanding can lead to incorrect assumptions about the meaning of words. In some situations, the assumption might lead to incorrect action, or perhaps inaction when follow up is important.

It's easy to maintain awareness of jargon. Conduct a frequent vocabulary check to determine if words in use would have similar meaning outside the group or organization. If not, be prepared to eliminate use with newcomers or others unfamiliar to the group, or at least offer an explanation of these words and terms.

3. Acronym assumptions

Acronyms are shorthand and they are in widespread use within every group. The growth of social media has greatly expanded the use of acronyms, since abbreviations can rapidly convey complex concepts. This can be very useful if the acronym is logical or easily decoded.

Aviation is brimming with acronyms that are often exceedingly difficult to decipher. IMC, for example, refers to weather conditions that make it difficult or impossible to see outside the aircraft. It stands for "Instrument Meteorological Conditions." The acronym is puzzling unless one knows or can figure out that, in low or no visibility weather conditions, an airplane must be flown by reference to its flight instruments.

Every business has its own acronyms. Letters combine to describe meeting rooms, company-operating divisions, policies and practices. Acronyms flow easily and are extensively used in the workplace. It is important for new employees to become familiar and comfortable with this shorthand; some organizations have taken the extra step of creating glossaries to facilitate the newcomer's orientation. If such a guide doesn't exist at the organizational level, a leader may want to create one for new team members. Assume nothing when compiling the glossary. In my very first job, fresh out of college, my supervisor sent me a note prefaced with "FYI." I puzzled over this abbreviation that I had never before seen. Too embarrassed to ask my boss for an explanation, I was rescued by a kind coworker who explained that the note contained material that did not need action - it was simply for my information.

All of us can aid the cause of creating clarity for others by maintaining awareness of the terminology that we use and ensuring that explanation follows any special-use words or unique shorthand. Helping others to learn the native language of your group, industry or organization makes people feel welcomed and included. It can also enhance safety and facilitate problem resolution by creating an environment of understanding and openness.

Each post in this blog closes with additional resources for those who wish to expand understanding of the topic. Two light-hearted recommendations accompany this post: Aviation Acronyms, a collection of aviation alphabet terms compiled by Jason Schappert and Corporate Lingo Flashcards, published by Knock Knock.  Each resource offers valuable information in an enjoyable format

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