Movements on earth and in the air

Abstract

A number of verbs used internationally by pilots are analysed. It is shown that their lexical composition is changed in such a way that special features (like +/- own power, +/- contact to the ground) become important. This gives the verbs a special meaning which is related to the general meaning of everyday usage in the same way in which scientifically planned and controlled movements (of a plane) are related to natural movements (of people and things). The analysis is to show that language for special purposes rests on a scientific view of reality in the same way as general language rests on everyday assumptions and encyclopedic knowledge of its users.