{speedy:add_tag}language-in-the-sky-can-linguistics-shape-airline-safety{/speedy:add_tag} Language in the Sky: Can Linguistics Shape Airline Safety? | Events | Festival of Social Science Skip to Content

Language in the Sky: Can Linguistics Shape Airline Safety?

Date & time
5 November 2025 | 19.00-21.00

Event format

Attend event in person

Event type

Talk / panel debate

Event topic

Our working lives

Audience

Academic discipline

Linguistics

Venue

Rucklers Lane Village Hall, Hertfordshire, WD4 8AU

What's on offer?

Through engaging stories, audience Q&A, and accessible explanations, Paul will explore:

How airline communication has changed over the past 30 years

The ways linguists investigate and understand the impact of language on safety

Personal experiences from working in aviation and transitioning into research

The big question: how do multilingual flight crews make sure that everyone stays safe at 30,000 feet?

What's it about?

Paul explains his motivation for hosting this talk and sharing his research findings;

“I’m keen to help particularly young people to understand how social science investigates real world problems. I want to show how curiosity about questions can be directed into investigation—and how that journey can open doors to careers people might never have considered.”

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, curious about how social science solves real-world problems, or just want a stimulating evening out, this event promises to change the way you think about every announcement you’ve ever heard on a plane!

Who's leading the event?

Paul Fernandez, University of Surrey

Open to

Anybody interested in language or flying

Of particular interest to

As above

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