2026, Vol. 17, No. 2. - go to content...

Permanent address of this page - https://sfk-mn.ru/en/15flsk226.html

Метаданные этой статьи так же доступны на русском языке

DOI: 10.15862/15FLSK226 (https://doi.org/10.15862/15FLSK226)

Full article in PDF format (file size: 480.9 KB)

For citation:

Leskina Yu.A., Boyalskaya T.A. [Means of expression of the definiteness category in aviation English] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 2. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/15FLSK226.pdf (in Russian). DOI: 10.15862/15FLSK226

Means of expression of the definiteness category in aviation English

Leskina Yulia Alexandrovna
The Military Educational and Scientific Centre of the Air Force «Air Force Academy named after Professor N. E. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin» of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russia
E-mail: yul-yurtaeva@yandex.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2920-5399

Boyalskaya Tatiana Alexandrovna
The Military Educational and Scientific Centre of the Air Force «Air Force Academy named after Professor N. E. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin» of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russia
E-mail: Boyalskaya@mail.ru

Abstract. The article is dedicated to exploring the linguistic means of expressing definiteness in the aviation English language—a functional style that serves international aviation communication. Using material from radio communication phraseology, documentation from the International Civil Aviation Organization, and educational resources, the study examines articles, demonstrative pronouns, word order, and specialized aviation descriptions as markers of definiteness. The research, based on a functional-pragmatic approach to professional discourse analysis, establishes that the category of definiteness in this sublanguage serves not only a nominative function but also prescriptive and preventive (emergency-warning) functions. In aviation English, the category of definiteness is expressed through a complex set of means, among which the zero article in a definite function, situational determination, demonstrative pronouns, and call signs are predominant. The definite article «the» is primarily retained for unique or newly specified referents; however, in actual radio communication practice, its frequency is lower than in written standards. This specificity is related to the demands for brevity, clarity, and prescriptiveness in professional discourse, as well as the need to minimize communicative risks in international airspace. The authors demonstrate that the absence of articles in certain contexts does not lead to a reduction in definiteness, thanks to contextual and situational determination. Additionally, the study reveals intercultural differences in the use of definiteness markers by speakers of different languages. The results can be applied in courses on professional-oriented English for pilots and air traffic controllers.

Keywords: aviation English; definiteness; radiotelephony phraseology; article; International Civil Aviation Organization; reference; flight safety

Download article in PDF format