FORMULAIC LANGUAGE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGLISH – FRIEND OR FOE

Abstract

The paper discusses formulaic language, its classification, function, and its role in Aeronautical English. On the one hand, using idiomatic expressions in aviation communication may lead to ambiguity, confusion and communication breakdown. On the other hand, teaching formulaic expressions to student pilots and air-traffic controllers can have positive effect on their fluency and help them develop their interactive communicative skills. Despite the fact that research on formulaic language acquisition has been modest, the paper suggests that it should be incorporated in an aeronautical English syllabus.