Giving
us all a fair go at work
By
Pte Simone Heyer
Fancy yourself as a bit of a linguist? Can you speak the language
of love, conversational Swahili or comprehendible Klingon? Manager
for Languages – Army Bob Tyne, is asking members to record
their language skills with his office for the benefit of the
Army and the possibility of extra cash for the individuals.
Skills obtained through ADF Langs will already be on record,
but Mr Tyne is seeking those who have gained skills outside
of Defence.
Language skills are recorded for contingency planning purposes.
There are times when different languages are needed by Defence,
and members with these language skills may be called on to help.
Mr Tyne said the ADF may require language skills to support
a wide range of ADF activities including operational deployments,
training and exercise supports.
“Linguists may also be called upon to act as interpreters
for military visitors to Australia, and at times to accompany
Australian military personnel on overseas visits,” he said.
Mr Tyne said that any language was of interest, not just the
languages taught at the ADF Langs.
“Some of the language skills currently recorded include
Afrikaans, Cantonese, Finnish, Hebrew, Swahili and Urdu to name
just a few. There are currently 86 different languages recorded.”
Any skill level, no matter how basic or advanced, is wanted.
If you can at least identify a language when it is spoken that
skill should be recorded.
Aboriginal language skills should also be recorded.
Mr Tyne said there were various ways members could have obtained
their language skills.
“They could have them through tertiary or high school studies
or may have the language through their ethnic
background.
“Alternatively, they may have learned some language skills
on operational deployment, or even regular visits to a favourite
overseas holiday destination.”
Regular Army and reserves should all have their language skills
recorded.
Entitlements exist for members to be paid if their language
proficiency is high enough – the Language Proficiency Allowance.
Registration is made by completing a simple form available by
e-mail from the Manager Languages – Army, at robert.tyne@defence.gov.au.
