Seaspeak is a simplified language designed to facilitate communication between ships, whose captain's native tongues differ from eachother's. There are similar languauges for aircraft and trains. While generally based on the English language, seaspeak has a very small vocabulary, and will incorporate foreign words where English does not have a suitable word.
Say again
A good example of the benefit of seaspeak is the use of a single short and carefully crafted phrase to replace a multitude of phrases. Thus the phrase "Say again" replaces the following:
- Could not hear what you said, please repeat!
- I did not understand, say that again.
- Too much noise, repeat what you said!
- I am having difficulty hearing what you are saying! Please repeat what you were trying to say.
- There is too much noise on the line - I cannot understand you.
- What did you say?
- Can you hear me now?
Many other examples exist.
Tunnelspeak
A language similiar in principle to Seaspeak for use in the Channel Tunnel. It is a blend of English and French.
