The aim of this paper is to present and characterize the long specialized noun phrases (LSNPs) as part of a larger work involving the development of a glossary for students of English for aviation. Initially, we address the issue of conceptual and denominational diversity associated with the LSNPs. Given the lack of consensus in the literature on the subject, we seek to clarify where the denominational difference actually corresponds to a conceptual difference. Subsequently, we formally characterize the units, list the elements that can compose them and describe their relationships. Finally, we review the literature regarding the problems and solutions relating to the interpretation of the LSNPs, usually resulting from the large compression of information in a limited number of words, which makes the understanding of these units particularly difficult by non-specialists. For this purpose, we review the works of authors such as Downing, Sager, Lehrberger, Trimble, and Shawcross. We then resume some issues that should be taken into account when interpreting the LSNPs, supported by a matrix of semantic relations for the analysis of these units within the context of aviation.
Linguistics; Terminology; LSNP; Translation; ESP; Language of aviation.
