According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “context” is defined as “the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning.” More simply put, Dictionary.com defines it as “the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect.” In my own words, it’s not just the words that matter, but also the situation surrounding them. In aviation, some words have more than one meaning and we also have lots and lots of acronyms. Understanding the context of the conversation or written statement means understanding the information received. Context matters. Let’s go through some examples.
I’ll never forget! The look on my coworker’s face was priceless! We were working on the design of the new LIM project, probably the largest project I will ever work on. The company I was working for was in charge of the design of a “whole new airport within the existing Lima, Peru airport.” The official language for the project was Spanish, but most of the U.S. team members did not know Spanish, so translations were part of the everyday game! My coworker was reviewing a (soil and pavement) grading deliverable in Spanish and translating it to English, and the word “pendiente” appeared. Google Translate was quick to translate it as “earring.” While most people trying to translate “pendiente” may be looking for the “earring” translation, my co-worker was very confused. “What? Huh? What does an earring have to do with civil engineering?” he asked. I could not stop laughing. Then, I explained to him that “pendiente” also meant “slope.” “Ahhhh, that makes more sense,” he said.
One of the first funny translation instances that I came across when I started working in South America (Colombia, specifically) involved our beloved word “runway.” I guess Google Translate wants all of us to be running instead of flying. It translates the Spanish word “pista” to “track” as its first option.
Another funny encounter involved the acronym “AOA.” The acronym has at least three meanings of which I am aware of:
- Angle of Attack
- Air Operations Area
- (FAA) Office of the Administrator
I was reviewing a document one late evening following a long workday. I was tired and hungry. The sentence said something about an “Angle of Attack (AOA) fence.” I read it over and over. It did not make sense. Rather than thinking about the meaning and context of the acronym though, my tired brain went to “Hmmmm… What kind of fence is this? Is it angled for some specific reason? Wildlife?” Then, it dawned on me: “No, Yasmina, they meant to say, ‘Air Operations Area (AOA)’ fence.” Duh! I laughed and corrected the acronym.
The most popular aviation joke surrounding context is the one involving a student pilot and an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). When the controller asks: “Cessna N123AB, state your intentions.” The student pilot, very confidently says, “To get my private pilot certificate, Cessna 3AB.” The controller, with a smile on his face, says: “Cessna 3AB, I meant in the next few minutes, not months.”
How many times have you heard people, even aviation people, confuse “hangar” with “hanger”? Two completely different words with two completely different meanings. Pretty simple… the place where we store aircraft has two letter “A’s,” and the gadget we use to hang our clothes has one letter “A.” Let’s get it right folks!
And I can’t forget my biggest pet peeve: “aircrafts.” The word “aircraft” is both plural and singular. Much like the word “software.” Also, “aircraft” is inclusive of all categories and types of “flying machines.” A helicopter is an aircraft. An airplane is an aircraft. A balloon is an aircraft. And so on. So, sometimes, we need to be more specific when using such an inclusive word.
What other instances have you run across where knowing the context makes it or breaks it? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at yassoria@gmail.com
In the meantime, fly safe and fly often!
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