The pain of being a linguist in the terms of the ATO

[Adriano Truscott]

Excellent thread KJ, and responses.  I too was asked to describe what a linguist was - possibly the same guy, though probably not (did he ask you how many languages you could speak?).  In the end, I backed down and settled for "teacher".   And I've come across this before, as I'm sure have others. I actually think we should use this low level of awareness to follow Doug's desire and simply say that a linguist is someone who likes to linger around the shed, tent or wherever the person lives when they're in trouble for something their parter thinks they've done.
At the risk of sounding terribly sanctimonious, I find this ignorance/prejudice may also be reflected somewhat in the Immigration's Skilled Occupation List where working on (finger) nails, making shoes (when I'd imagine all shoes are imported), cakes or guns has more value than the work we do. Just how many more nails, cakes and guns do we need? 
Saying that, TESOL is now on there I hear, which is very new and very good.



Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 22:29:24 +1030
From: maia.ponsonnet at hotmail.com
Subject: RE: The pain of being a linguist in the terms of the ATO
To: doug.marmion at gmail.com; kj.olawsky at westnet.com.au
CC: r-n-l-d at unimelb.edu.au








Hi, I called the ATO in June to figure out what I was supposed to do. 
The guy I spoke to didn't know how to spell "linguistics". He did not know the word. 
My conclusion, Doug, is that ignorance seems to be mutual ;-). 
Best, Maïa

> Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:14:33 +1000
> From: doug.marmion at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: The pain of being a linguist in the terms of the ATO
> To: kj.olawsky at westnet.com.au
> CC: r-n-l-d at unimelb.edu.au
> 
> I've always felt quite happy to be ignored by the ATO. I'm not sure I want this to change...
> 
> -doug
> 
> 
> 
> On 21/08/2011, at 8:55 PM, Dr K.J. Olawsky wrote:
> 
> > Dear RNLD-ers
> >  
> > I thought I needed to share this as I’ve just completed my annual tax return using eTax. Year after year I am annoyed by the fact that I don’t know what a linguist is to make of the drop-down menu in the software – you must have the same problem! Are you also wondering whether to call yourself a translator, a scientist (life sciences?), speech pathologist or a university lecturer if none of these actually fits? One somewhat feels tempted to just go with “officer”, though this is so much less exciting than (more citations) “dog racing judge”, “airworthiness surveyor”, or “powder money” (no joke).
> > Anyway, this year I could not resist and sent the ATO a complaint through their online contact form –here’s a little excerpt:
> >  
> > “… puzzled by ATO’s comprehensive list of recognised professions while it fails to include professions of people who work with languages, such as “linguist” or “language professional/language consultant”. I am bemused to see that your job can be an archbishop or imam, bungy jump master, bingo caller or prostitute (with the generalisation of sex worker and specifications such as stripper, escort girl and brothel keeper), not to mention egg grader and TV announcer (how many are there in Australia?) – The department's sense for detail must be admired! How could it be possible that when it comes to working with languages no profession is listed at all? I consider this pure ignorance and a surprising fact that a multicultural and multilingual society would fail to include individuals who deal with this diversity. In academic circles, linguists hold regular conferences and workshops, they join in professional associations and they run language-related services all over the country. No doubt everybody knows what an "otorhinolaryngologist" is (as listed in eTax) but at least "linguist" is easier to spell! In fact, I hope to find someone within the ATO who realises that working with languages is a productive part of our society. ….”
> >  
> > Perhaps if a few more of us sent in some feedback to the ATO we might have “linguist” included next year … - here’s a link to their online complaint form:
> >  
> > https://olt.ato.gov.au/feedback/Complaints.asp?sid=1512266
> >  
> > I hope I’m not abusing the forum while we should be talking about linguistic diversity but in the terms of the ATO it seems that linguists haven’t even been born yet!
> >  
> > Enjoy your Sunday   ;->
> >                                                       
> > Knut
> >  
> >  
> > ==============================
> > Dr Knut J. Olawsky
> > P.O. Box 1809
> > Kununurra, WA 6743
> > Australia
> > E-mail: kj.olawsky at westnet.com.au
> > ==============================
> >  
> >  
> 
> 
> 
 		 	   		   		 	   		  
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