REFERENTIAL COMMUNICATION

To communicate referentially is to speak so that others will understand and to listen so that you will understand others or know when you have not. People at all levels can be poor referential communicators, depending in part the complexity of variables that enters into the communication situations. 
 

A scientist, for example, may be unable to communicate successfully with a layperson about a “quark” because of the difficulty of the subject matter and difference in vocabulary between the two people.

Referential communication skills involve the ability to provide and understand specific information. These skills are important in cockpit environment to give directions, explanations and situational briefings. The evolution of standard communication phraseology in aviation was necessitated from these differences in vocabularies of individuals engaged in a complex activity. In a rapidly changing environment, it is also necessary that crew is able to communicate effectively, succinctly and without ambiguity. Be it routine procedures, emergency handling or a high stress situation like evacuation, clear and unambiguous communication is essential.