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scenarios. Lakoff also observes that words are all defined metaphorically
as “conceptual frames,” and “Groups of related words, called ‘semantic
fields,’ are defined with respect to the same frame” (Lakoff 2002: 33-34).
This view on the cognitive processing of language communication within
radiotelephony discourse could become a tool to describe an
interconnection of its verbal and non-verbal components and, possibly, to
suggest one of the mechanisms by which miscommunications can derive.
Applying contextual consideration of radiotelephony discourse, it is
necessary to indicate at least three parts of communication – human,
technological and operational. According to Lakoff’s logic, conceptual
frames imbedded in the nervous system of radiotelephony communication
participants serve as reference patterns of technical flight operation actions
with which new experience caused, for instance, by emergency, is
assessed, choices and solutions made, and behaviors established.
The actions within the ‘Aviate, Navigate, Communicate’ formula
illustrate the general rule of flying – aviate first, navigate second and
communicate third (Moor 2005). This general rule of flying similarly fits
air traffic control as Surveillance, Control and Communication. The
general rule then is first keep track of air traffic, second – provide control
and third – communicate. These listed components reflect the professional
actions of an air traffic controller at the work place. Both of the general
rules mentioned are in compliance with the cognitive strategies
responsible for information processing based on cognitive frames or image
schemata of radiotelephony interaction with further verbal realization. In
the language of the brain, words and thoughts are defined relative to
narrative frames and conceptual metaphors. The latter are developed
reflecting the knowledge and skills of flight operational or air traffic
control procedures, gained by radiotelephony interlocutors.
This is proved by the fact that expert cognitive performance is
characterized by rapid access to a well-organized body of conceptual and
procedural knowledge, which is a modifiable structure based upon
knowledge that is experienced. This experience allows the perception of
large meaningful patterns in familiar and new situations which help the
expert match goals to task demands (Adams and Ericson 1992).
Radiotelephony communication participants can only witness
phenomena subjectively through their own perspectives, using what they
already know in order to find meaning in what they perceive. In the case
of routine flight operation procedures the authors of the radiotelephony
discourse participants communicate as is expected according to rules and
rituals.