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ProZ.com Native Speaker Credential

1 What is the ProZ.com Native Speaker credential?
2 How do I get the credential for a single language?
3 How do I get the credential in more than one language?
4 What definition of "native speaker" is used?
5 Will clients see the credential?
6 Does the PNS credential tell whether or not someone is a good translator?
7 How much does it cost to apply for the PNS credential?
8 I would like to get the credential. How do I proceed?
9 My two native languages are pending. How soon can I prove them?
10 What do the different colored icons mean?
11 I need to declare a second native language, or I've made a mistake in entering my native language(s).


1. What is the ProZ.com Native Speaker credential?

The Native Speaker credential is a mark that signifies that a ProZ.com member is a native speaker of a given language.

A "capital-N" icon already appears on profile pages, and in a few months will appear throughout the site beside the names of members who have received the credential. It looks like this: Russian

Mousing over the mark or clicking on it reveals additional information.

2. How do I get the credential for a single language?

ProZ.com members with one native language are asked to simply declare that language. Go to your profile page, click on the link at the top to go into edit mode, and then click on "declare native language" from the middle of the right column.

3. How do I get the credential in more than one language?

A member who reports having only one native language is assumed to be a native speaker of that language, and is not required to demonstrate it. However, members who report multiple native languages will in the future be asked to demonstrate their native speech in each language before other native speakers of those languages. Until this has been accomplished, a black and gray icon will be associated with the unconfirmed native languages.

4. What definition of "native speaker" is used?

Rather than imposing a definition of "native", the PNS program leaves the definition to members. When declaring one's own single language, a definition is not required.

In the case of those declaring multiple native languages, the speech will be deemed native if several other ProZ.com Native Speakers find it to be native (according to their own definitions.)

5. Will clients see the credential?

In the short term, native speaker credentials will only be shown on profile pages. After enough time has been given for all members to consider applying for the credential, it will also appear at other points throughout the site. In addition, members will be given a means of showing the credential to potential clients on and off the site.

The choice of whether or not to apply for, and show, the credential, is left to each member.

6. Does the PNS credential tell whether or not someone is a good translator?

Absolutely not. Native language is only one factor that a client may consider when screening a translator or interpreter. It is usually not the most important factor.

7. How much does it cost to apply for the PNS credential?

There will be no fee for declaring native language ability in one language. It has not yet been determined whether a fee will be necessary for the verfication procedure involved for those who declare multiple languages.

8. I would like to get the credential. How do I proceed?

The application procedure starts at your profile page.

Click on the "Click to edit" link at the top of the page, then click the "Declare native language" link.

9. My two native languages are pending. How soon can I prove them?

We are developing a strategy now. When we have a practical program in place, you will be notified.

10. What do the different colored icons mean?

A blue and yellow ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that are reasonably certain to be accurate. This includes native languages that have been confirmed by ProZ.com, and native languages reported by ProZ.com members who have sworn that they only have one native language (a native language cannot be changed once it is declared).

A black and gray ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that have been reported, but not confirmed. This includes native languages reported by non-members, even when they only report a single native language. This is because it is possible that a non-member might create multiple profiles with a different single native language for each, to get around the requirement that multiple native languages must be confirmed.

11. I need to declare a second native language, or I've made a mistake in entering my native language(s).

Please submit a support request for assistance.