diff --git a/arches_lingo/serializers.py b/arches_lingo/serializers.py
index 126520d7..5a07aed7 100644
--- a/arches_lingo/serializers.py
+++ b/arches_lingo/serializers.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from arches.app.models.models import ResourceInstance, TileModel
 from arches.app.models.serializers import ArchesModelSerializer, ArchesTileSerializer
 
-from arches_controlled_lists.datatypes.datatypes import ReferenceDataType
+from arches_controlled_lists.datatypes.datatypes import Reference, ReferenceDataType
 from arches_controlled_lists.models import ListItem
 
 
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 class LingoResourceSerializer(ArchesModelSerializer):
     class Meta:
         model = ResourceInstance
-        graph_slug = None  # generic
+        graph_slug = None
         nodegroups = "__all__"
         fields = "__all__"
 
@@ -26,12 +26,13 @@ class Meta:
 
     def validate_appellative_status(self, data):
         if data:
-            # TODO: consider having serializer run to_python().
-            if new_label_languages := ReferenceDataType().to_python(
+            new_label_lang = None
+            new_label_type = None
+            if new_label_languages := self.get_reference_object(
                 data.get("appellative_status_ascribed_name_language")
             ):
                 new_label_lang = new_label_languages[0]
-            if new_label_types := ReferenceDataType().to_python(
+            if new_label_types := self.get_reference_object(
                 data.get("appellative_status_ascribed_relation")
             ):
                 new_label_type = new_label_types[0]
@@ -41,6 +42,14 @@ def validate_appellative_status(self, data):
 
         return data
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_reference_object(data) -> Reference:
+        # TODO: serializer should just do this itself, only waiting to tackle:
+        # https://github.com/archesproject/arches/issues/10851#issuecomment-2427305853
+        datatype_instance = ReferenceDataType()
+        transformed = datatype_instance.transform_value_for_tile(data)
+        return datatype_instance.to_python(transformed)
+
     @staticmethod
     def _check_pref_label_uniqueness(data, new_label_language, new_label_type):
         try:
diff --git a/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/components/generic/reference-datatype/ReferenceDatatypeViewer.vue b/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/components/generic/reference-datatype/ReferenceDatatypeViewer.vue
index a863750f..72711868 100644
--- a/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/components/generic/reference-datatype/ReferenceDatatypeViewer.vue
+++ b/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/components/generic/reference-datatype/ReferenceDatatypeViewer.vue
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ withDefaults(
     <span v-if="value instanceof Array">
         <span
             v-for="val in value"
-            :key="val.list_id"
+            :key="val.list_item_id"
         >
-            <span>{{ val.labels[0].value }}</span>
+            <span>{{ val.display_value }}</span>
         </span>
     </span>
     <span v-else-if="value">
-        <span>{{ (value as ControlledListItem).labels[0].value }}</span>
+        <span>{{ value.display_value }}</span>
     </span>
     <span v-else>
         <span>{{ $gettext("None") }}</span>
diff --git a/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/types.ts b/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/types.ts
index b16c1ae8..62cdef23 100644
--- a/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/types.ts
+++ b/arches_lingo/src/arches_lingo/types.ts
@@ -51,12 +51,8 @@ export interface ControlledListItemLabelValue {
 }
 
 export interface ControlledListItem {
-    item_id?: string;
-    list_id: string;
-    uri: string;
-    sortorder?: number;
-    guide?: boolean;
-    labels: ControlledListItemLabelValue[];
+    list_item_id: string;
+    display_value: string;
 }
 
 export interface ControlledListItemResult {