The Pilot’s Alphabet is a set of 26 words that represent each of the letters of the ABC. Also called the Radio Alphabet or the Spelling Alphabet, it is used to spell out important information in situations where people cannot see each other. HASalpha B.nice againstHarley…it’s what airplane pilots use for two-way radio communication where clarity and speed are essential. The familiar ABC alphabet used to write English doesn’t work with the radio or telephone because many letter names sound alike.
A, J, K
B, C, D, E, G, P, T, V, Z (US)
M,N
Yes, X
I and
uw
When native English speakers need to give specific information, such as the correct spelling of their name or address, they spell the words in a kind of encryption. In Canada, broadcasting a postal code is the perfect example. The structure of postal codes is standard, six units in the order letter, number, letter (LNL) followed by a number, letter, number (NLN). Anticipating letters or numbers helps a little, but not much. Everyone in Canada has a postal code and no one can understand them over the phone.
real life example
My postal code is L7J 1G5. The L and 7 are pretty clear, but the j It can sound like an A or a K, so I usually say “john” instead of that letter. GRAM is a self-titled train wreck. For G, I just say “GRAMGeorge.” When I dictate my zip code, I say: “L7Joh 1GJorge5,“what is understood as L7J 1G5. There are many circumstances in which code spelling is useful. In a noisy environment, on the phone, or in a situation complicated by pronunciation problems, using whole words to indicate individual letters is an effective strategy for spelling out short pieces of information.
The old ESL fear of the phone
If English speakers have a hard time making themselves understood, imagine how frustrating communication must be for non-native speakers. To complicate matters, phones, and especially cell phones, transmit sound with varying degrees of integrity. ESL students have enough difficulty with pronunciation without similar-sounding letters and poor sound quality to exacerbate the situation. Many non-native English speakers simply won’t use a phone.
Jackie Chan was a guest on Ellen Degeneres’ talk show in January 2010. Jackie is one of the most beloved and successful action stars of all time. But whatever Jackie Chan had to overcome to achieve superstar status for her, her worst nightmare might just be the phone. Amused, Ellen handed her an earpiece and asked her to get the number for “Pink Berry” while the world watched. Jackie was a good sport with the request and made a noble attempt, but she was unsuccessful. She couldn’t understand the voice recording at the end of the line or make herself understood by the machine. The prank was intended as entertainment, but for the millions upon thousands of non-native English speakers who won’t answer a phone for any reason, the prank hit close to home.
The pilot alphabet is not a solution for ESL. Although it works well for pilots, “Delta”, “Sierra” and “Whiskey” are too unfamiliar and difficult for English learners. Students need an infallible alphabet of their own to correctly spell names, addresses, and other important information when necessary. Here is an alphabet designed by Thompson Language Center that is suitable for learners of English when circumstances call for it.
ESL Telephone Alphabet
has – hasapple
b – bHears
against – againstarkansas
– og
me – meQuick
F – FI have
gram – gramOkay
h – hor know
me – methis cream
me – meexternal transmission
what – whatin g
me – meevil
meter – meteroney
No – Noever
oh – ohpencil
p – ppeople
what – whatuen
r – reducate
yes – yessummer
your – yourI me
a – anation
v – vit’s a
w – wworked
x – X-ray
there – thereyellow
z – zwas
Pink becomes ppeople, methis cream, Noever, whatin g
berry becomes bHears, meQuick, reducate, reducate, thereyellow
Summary
Speaking in code is a coping mechanism that native speakers take for granted, but the skill can be a lifeline for someone struggling to survive in a new culture. Users don’t have to be newcomers to find Phone Alphabet a useful survival tool.
Jackie, forget about the stupid answering machines. Just press 0 for an operator and write it with the ESL phone alphabet.
