Defining Levels of Language Proficiency Avoids Confusion

Translators, interpreters and linguists all employ a variety of terms to define different levels of language proficiency: bilingual, fluent, proficient, native speaker and more.

But the terms used to define language proficiency are quite nebulous and are often used loosely or interchangeably. Since the use of vague terminology can lead to misrepresentation or confusion of just how skilled an individual really is in a language, it’s important for professional translators and interpreters to have working definitions for the various levels of language proficiency.

Just how can we define these terms, and when it is appropriate to use each of them? Here are some of the most commonly-used language proficiency labels and when they should or shouldn’t be applied.

Native Speaker

The term native speaker is equal to that of “mother tongue,” and it is generally safe to use these two terms interchangeably. A native speaker’s language is his first language. This usually means that it dominated his youth and is therefore the language he is most comfortable with. A native speaker is more than fluent — he correctly and easily uses his first language.

Fluent

Like a native speaker, a fluent speaker of a language is very comfortable with the language — however, it is not necessarily his first, native or mother tongue. Although it’s difficult, fluency can be attained through extended study and, usually, with time spent living in full linguistic immersion. Merriam-Webster defines the adjective “fluent” in reference to language as “capable of using a language easily and accurately.” It’s important to note that while a fluent speaker may be nearly perfect, he may require more conscious concentration when speaking and may not have the same abilities as a native speaker when it comes to idioms and similar terms and phrases.

Proficient

Turning back to the dictionary, “proficient” is defined as “well advanced in an occupation, art, or branch of knowledge.”  In terms of language, the “proficient” label can therefore be seen as referring to a speaker who, while very skilled in the use of a language, uses the language less easily and at a less-advanced level than a native or fluent speaker.

Bilingual, Trilingual, etc.

These words are some of the most misused among language proficiency terminology! Someone may say they are trilingual when in fact they perhaps speak one language as a native speaker, a second language fluently and the third at only a proficient level. The dictionary definition of “bilingual” is “using or able to use two languages with equal fluency.” Unless all language are spoken with equal strength, the term “bilingual” really doesn’t apply.

Why Language Proficiency Needs to Be Defined

It might seem nit-picky to insist on differentiating between various terms relating to linguistic proficiency, especially because in many cases the differences are so slight. In fact, the relative similarity of these terms makes the need for more concrete definitions all the more necessary, in order to avoid confusion and misrepresentation of an individual’s linguistic capabilities.

It should be noted that while the suggestions above help clarify these terms, they are by no means concrete, go-to definitions. In an ideal world, those in the language professions would develop and use an official industry standard of language proficiency terms in order to more accurately represent their capabilities as translators and interpreters. Until such a standard is adopted, however, those requiring language services would do well to verify a linguist’s language proficiency.