January Updates

Active Languages

What are the Active Languages?
As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, 23 January 2026, there are no active languages.

Active Language Requirements
To record in an active language, you and your partner must be native speakers of that language as spoken in the country listed. Being fluent is not the same as being native. Learn more about being a native speaker here. Recordings in other variants will not be paid.

💡 Examples:

You grew up in Ghana and are a native English speaker.
❌ You do not qualify to record because you are not a native English (United States) speaker.

You grew up in Saudi Arabia and are a native Arabic speaker.
✅ You qualify to record in Arabic (Saudi Arabia).

You grew up in Belize and are a native English and Q'eqchi speaker.
🟡 You qualify for Q'eqchi. You do not qualify for English (United States), because you are not a native English (United States) speaker.

Can I record in another language if it pays more than my native language?
No. The purpose of this project is to collect conversations between native speakers. Non-native fluency is not acceptable and will lead to rejected recordings.

Paused Languages

What languages are you no longer accepting submissions for?
As of 23 January 2026, collections are paused for all languages. New recordings will not be accepted.

Please delete any unused links; do not use them.
Recordings submitted before the deadline will still be processed.
Recordings submitted after 23 January 2026 will not be paid.

What if I already submitted a recording?
Any submissions recorded and received before 23 January 2026 23:59 ET will still be reviewed. Recordings that pass our QA process and are Accepted will be paid.

What if I already requested/generated a recording link in one of the Paused Languages?
Any submissions recorded or received after 23 January 2026 23:59 ET will not be paid. Please delete any unused recording links and do not use them.

Do any languages have different cut-off times?
No. Recordings for all languages was paused at 23 January 2026 23:59 ET

Timing & Payments

Why do the rates change?
Rates and featured languages are based on client needs.

Does the payment process change?
No. Payments will continue on the same schedule and through the same process as before. Please refer to the Earning Fees and Receiving Your Funds articles to learn more.

Is the per-minute rate per person or per pair?
The stated rate is per person. Each speaker is paid per recorded minute.

Participation & Options

If I already signed up, do I need to do it again?
No. You only need to sign up for the project one time. Don’t forget that your recording partner(s) will also need to apply for your recordings to be accepted.

Can I switch to a featured language to get a different rate?
Yes, but only if you are a native speaker of the featured language as spoken in the country listed. If you do not meet these requirements, do not record.

Your sign-up form must accurately reflect your background. If the information you provide doesn’t match your actual language and country used in the recordings, they will be rejected.

Can I record in more than one language?
Yes, if you are native speaker in more than one of the featured language-and-country combinations listed above, you may record in both combinations. Please make sure the form accurately reflects this.

What if I signed up in one language but I’m actually native in another feature language?
If your true native language and country are included in the dropdown list, you’ll need to fill out a new form selecting that correct combination. If your combination isn’t listed, select “I don’t see my combination” and provide the details requested. Important: If the details in your form don’t match your recordings, they may be rejected.

Should I still record in a non-featured language?
Yes, you’re welcome to continue recording in any language, as long as it is not a paused language. Every contribution is still valuable and appreciated!

Why should I continue if the rate is lower?
Even at the updated rate, your recordings support important progress on this project to bring in voices, cultures, and perspectives from around the world to make language models smarter, fairer, and more human.

Common Concerns

This feels unfair. Why are some languages paid more?
The featured languages are based on client demand, and the rates are adjusted accordingly.

Will the rates ever go back up?
Rates are reviewed monthly based on project needs. They may stay the same, increase, or change again depending on demand and sustainability.

Does this mean the project is ending soon?
No, the project is ongoing. Rate adjustments help us manage sustainability so that contributors can continue participating over the long term.

Can the list of featured languages change?
Yes. Featured languages may change depending on project needs. We’ll notify you of any changes by email.

How will I know if rates change again?
You’ll be notified by email. Please check your inbox regularly to stay updated.

Is there a place where I can always see the latest updates?
Yes. These FAQs will be updated whenever there is a change to the project. Check back regularly and also keep an eye on your inbox for information we send to you via email.