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APRIL/MAY 2017 The Linguist 9 FEATURES what kind of language level we need. If the procedure is only in Chinese characters that would make it really, really difficult," says Maurer. "Imagine there's an emergency and you need to be very efficient, very fast, there shouldn't be errors at all in understanding the procedure. That's not easy if it's only in Chinese characters." It may be that the CMSA (the agency responsible for this area) instead adopts a bilingual controls system, similar to those used on the European ATV cargo spacecraft. ESA astronauts are required to speak English, but as the ATV docked at the Russian part of the ISS, dual procedures in Russian and English were used. "Bilingual English- Chinese procedures could be a feasible way to work with the Chinese," says Maurer. Even then, he adds, learning some Mandarin would be vital. Lessons learnt on the Russian space station Mir illustrate just how important language skills are to the success of any mission, and the wellbeing of those involved. "In the early days, the American astronauts on the Mir space station had lots of problems because of cultural differences. A lot can go wrong if you don't speak the same language and can't understand the culture," he explains. Living with just five other people in a confined space for six-month periods can lead to considerable tensions, never mind if you add cultural and linguistic misunderstandings to the mix. "Having very good language skills and cultural awareness is what we Europeans want to bring into this new cooperation with the Chinese," says Maurer. "Maybe once the cooperation is established we can reduce the efforts for learning the language. But the first generation of astronauts need to have high-level language skills to make sure there is a friendship that grows before we fly. Because you need to trust people. And to build up trust, communication is the most important part." As Maurer is not yet assigned to a flight, knowledge of Chinese is a "strong asset" that could put him in poll position for any bilateral flight with China. Only two other ESA astronauts have opted to learn the language. "Until it is clear which will be my path, I need to train in all the language skills," he explains. If he works with the CNSA, his Russian lessons would stop immediately to enable him to focus fully on preparations for a flight to the Chinese Space Station. Similarly, a flight to the ISS would put an end to his Mandarin studies. Currently, he has two lessons a week with a native Chinese teacher and two with a Russian native – "but not on the same day AIMING FOR THE STARS Clockwise from top left: Matthias Maurer at the European Space Centre in Cologne; training at the its Natural Buoyancy Facility; during a parabolic flight; and a Soyuz TMA spacecraft at the ISS