FAQ Customer
  General Questions
  
 


Set Up Questions

 
 


Selecting and using an Interpreter

  
 

 
Billing and costs

 
 

 
Online Help and Information Opening Page

 
My Lingtastic Home Page Buttons

 

  
 


General Questions

  • Why should I use Lingtastic and not a professional interpreting firm?

    • You should use Lingtastic because Lingtastic is the only site that provides qualified interpreters on demand at the lowest possible prices. The technology we developed allows our customers to interface directly with a translator/interpreter. There is no middle person taking a chunk of the fee. Most services will charge you over $1.50 a minute. That's $90 per hour and a very expensive way to communicate.

    You have the ability to select the level of skill you require for your project. You decide how much you want to pay. We find you the least expensive interpreter at the skill level you request. The final decision is always yours to accept the interpreter/translator.
  • Are Lingtastic interpreters as skilled as the interpreters on other interpreter services?

    • The majority of Lingtastic interpreters and translators have been working as professional interpreters/translators for many years. Some have worked with the more expensive services that charge upwards of $90 an hour. We also have a few bilingual people who have never worked professionally as an interpreter. These people have been tested and are fully conversant with both languages.

    A number of Lingtastic translator/interpreters have worked as court appointed interpreters; others have worked for the United Nations and Embassies around the world. The most skilled of our interpreters have worked for many years for other interpreting services. On the lower end of the skill scale the interpreters either have less formal interpreting experience or no formal interpreting education.

    To qualify as "experienced" on our system the majority of the workers will have worked as phone interpreters for more than 3 years or have degrees in interpreting.  Under most circumstances the interpreters are only allowed to translate into their native language. This way you can judge their skill in your own language. The final decision on their acceptability can be based on how they communicate in your language to you.
  • What services are available?

    • Our initial launch is with our interpreter service.   We have several languages available. In the first few weeks we went live, we had over 300 quality applications from interpreters. We are testing them and getting them online as fast as we can.

    This is a new service and you may find that your language is not available. Make sure to keep checking back with us. We will be adding more languages and interpreters every week. The quality of our interpreters and their low cost makes our service a winning combination. Your continued support means that we will be able to expand our services faster.

    In the next few weeks you can expect to see our service launched in many places on the web. We are working to have our interpreters available via cell phones and other hand held devices. We plan to launch our translation service soon so that you can have your SMS and email messages translated in real time by real people.

    We offer developers a highly developed but simple interface so they can add our services on their websites. There will be many other ways to connect to our system as developers find out how easy it is to work with us.
  • Why is the cost of Lintastic interpreters so much lower than the competition?

    • We try to remove the barriers between you and the interpreter you are working with. We use existing technology like Skype and Google Talk to connect you rather than investing in an expensive infrastructure.

    On other sites interpreters are paid a small percentage of the fee the service charges the customer.  This is not true with Lingtastic. We charge a small commission on top of what the interpreters charge you. When applicable, there is a connection fees incurred in connecting the parties together. If all parties connect using computers most times there will be no connection fees.

    In return for the commission charged, we provide a work and payment system for the interpreters. For example, if a Spanish interpreter lives in Argentina $12 an hour may be more than sufficient. If they live in New York they may need to charge $30 an hour. What is charged is up to the individual interpreter. Via the internet we connect you with the best price wherever the interpreters are located as long as they meet your requirements.
 
  • I am concerned about confidentiality. How can I be sure that my information is secure using your service?

    • Lingtastic is not a traditional interpreting and translation service. You should familiarize yourself with our terms and conditions of use. Like most existing services our interpreters work from their homes and places that are not under our control. We do not monitor your calls or their working environment. We cannot and will not guarantee the security of your information. We supply a code of ethics that all our workers have to agree to in order to work with our service. We monitor your feedback to see that they keep to that code of ethics.

    You should not pass any confidential information through our service or use our system in emergency situations. We know many or our interpreters are ethical, trained and capable of handling such a situation, however; we cannot and will not guarantee either the confidentiality or quality of an individual interpreter.

    It is also important to understand that depending on the technology you choose to connect you and the interpreter it is possible for them to know your VoIP identity or phone number. If you use Skype the interpreter will know your ID immediately. We attempt to limit this wherever we can but it is not always possible to do so. Any attempt by either party to contact anyone outside the system is against our terms of use and should be reported immediately to us.

Set Up Questions

  • How do I use the Lingtastic service?

    • The steps to using our system are easy. First you must sign up to be a customer. You can do this on our website. Once your account is activated you will need to fund your account with us. You may do this with a credit card or Pay Pal.

     If you are using Skype or Google Talk on a computer you should be in a quiet environment and preferably have a headset with a microphone. We recommend Google Talk. We prefer you use Google Talk to connect. Google Talk allows us to conference in third parties. Google Talk also  allows us to block access to your identity.

    You may also have an interpreter call you on a standard phone number and conference in a third party on another phone number. Note: Calls to standard telephones incur charges for each party added.

    Currently you have to go to our website to find an interpreter that meets your requirements. The call is started from our site. In the near future we will be able to initiate calls from cell phones and via SMS messaging.

  • Can I use Lingtastic without a computer?

    • In order to use our service you must set up your account on the website. You will need a browser to access our services (computer or cell phone). We expect that soon many of our services will be available by other methods.

  •  Will I need to download any software from you?
    • There is no software that customers must download from our site. We recommend you do if you do not already use Google Talk, you try it. You will have more options with our site with Google Talk. The software must be downloaded from their site. If you wish to have a free connection from our interpreter to your PC you must use Skype or Google Talk.
  • Do I need special hardware?
    • You only need a computer and a fast internet connection.. If you are receiving calls on your computer it is best if you have a headset and microphone to talk with the interpreters.
  • What type of internet connection do I need?

    • You need broadband with a low latency if you wish to have interpreters call your computer. If VOIP software like Skype and Google Talk currently work well on your computer then our services will work well too.
  •  How do I set up Google Talk?

    • This is our preferred communication system. If you use Google Talk you do not need to install Skype. You will need to download and install Google Talk. The download page is located at www.google.com/talk/ all the instructions you need are located on this site.

    Once you have entered your Google Talk ID on our website or on your first call you will be asked to add service@gtalk2voip.com as a contact. You must do so to be able to be contacted by our service. 

    Gtalk2voip offers a lot of services outside of our interpreting service such as low cost calls on the internet and the ability to call a cell phone. Take a few moments and review their site; www.gtalk2voip.com
  • What is gtalk2voip?

    • GTalk2VoIP is an amazing service that allows us to connect Google Talk to other VoIP software and ordinary phone numbers.  GTalk2VoIP allows us to deliver the abilities of the interpreters on our service to our customers via a variety of methods. It also allows us to disguise the identities of the users of the service. As Lingtastic grows we plan to add expand our services.
  •  How do I set up Skype?

    • With Skype we cannot conference in third parties automatically. Your Skype ID is also visible. This is why we recommend Google Talk. You must download and install Skype to use it. All the information can be found on www.skype.com. If you wish to conference in third parties using standard phone numbers you will need to sign up for Skype Out. This gives Skype the ability to call standard phone lines and cell phones.


 Selecting and using and interpreter

  • How do I find an interpreter?

    • Once you have an account you can access the find a translator button on the left of your My Lingtastic Home Page. This will allow you to specify;

      1. How you wish to be contacted, (Skype, Google Talk or by phone)
      2. The language you wish to have an interpreter speak
      3. The skill level you wish to have for a minimum rate. 
      4. The maximum rate you wish to pay per minute
      5. How you want the system to search for a interpreter

    The default search is for the system to find you the most inexpensive interpreter at the minimum skill rate you have specified. You can change the search to find the most skilled interpreter for your maximum price.


    Once you start the search the service will find you an interpreter and call you back within a minute. The interpreter will introduce themselves. You then have up to 60 seconds to decide if this interpreter is acceptable. The call will start at the point of acceptance. If you do not accept the interpreter just let them know. They will pass you onto another interpreter. If you have any problems please let us know. There is a form for feedback in the My Lingtastic Home Page.
  • What if I don't like the interpreter the service selects?

    • You have 60 seconds from when the call connects you to the interpreter to decide if the interpreter is acceptable to you. You may ask them questions or engage in conversation relating to your project.  Please do not ask personal questions. It is against their code of ethics to answer.  If you are satisfied, then inform the interpreter and your call will proceed.

     If you do not want to accept the interpreter, you must also inform them and they will instruct the system to connect you to another person. If you have any problems at all switching interpreters please let us know. There is a form for feedback in the My Lingtastic Home Page
  •  What if I have a poor connection?

    • You must have a good internet connection for our service to work well. Satellite connections or anything less than a 128K in both directions will not provide a good connection. You may check the speed of your connection at www.ip-adress.com/speedtest/ . If you are sure that your internet connection is the correct standard and you still have a bad connection (echoes, delays etc.) then ask your interpreter to reset the call and hang up.

    This will reconnect all parties. Sometimes reconnecting will solve the problems.
    If you are still having problems ask to talk to another interpreter. There may be a specific internet problem near the interpreter. Choosing another interpreter may resolve the problem. If you continue to have problems please let us know so that we can improve the service.
  •  What does the interpreter's skill level actually mean?

    • We have 6 skill levels that you can choose from:

    Master - This level is the highest level on our service. This person is one of our best interpreters and part of our Masters Program. There are only 1 or 2 Masters for each language pair on the system. They exemplify Lingtastic's highest standards of professionalism and excellence. 

    Outstanding - The interpreter is fluent in the language selected. They exhibit the highest degree of professionalism and have many years of experience as interpreters. The customer can expect accurate and fast translations in all contexts.

    Superior - The interpreter is fluent in the language selected. They exhibit a high degree of professionalism and are an experienced interpreter. The customer can expect accurate translations in most contexts.

    Excellent – The Interpreter has an excellent command of the language selected. They may not be as fast or as polished as their more senior colleagues.

    Good - The interpreters' knowledge of the language is strong. There may be areas  where this person is slower or not as accurate.

    Satisfactory - The interpreter has a firm command of the language, however they are juniors who are currently perfecting their skills.
  • What is a specialty?

    • This interpreter or translator represents themselves as having background knowledge in this area.  This could be due to their qualifications or due to intensive training in the vocabulary used in these fields. There is an option in “Find a Translator” that allows you to select a standard translator if the skill is not available. We recommend you choose that option. If there is an interpreter available with your specialty you will be given that interpreter. Otherwise you will be given the best or the most inexpensive available as specified by your search criteria.
  • How do I conference in another party?

    • This can be done in several ways. If you are using Skype you must conference in the person yourself. Using "Find a Translator" have the service call you back at your Skype ID. You must accept the call. Once the interpreter calls you and you are satisfied with the interpreter you can conference in a third party by using Skype or Skype Out. You will be responsible for all charges associated with connecting the conference if they exist. They will be deducted from your Skype Out account. Note all parties will know each others personal Skype ID's.
  • Can I use this service 24 hours a day?

    • We are starting up in live Beta. This means we are still testing and upgrading the Lingtastic service. We are attempting to have the service run close to 24 hours a day. To start, some languages will be available at different times of the day depending on how many interpreters are signed up. As the service becomes more popular we expect to provide interpreters 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
  • Where can I find out what languages are available on Lingtastic?

    • You can see what languages are currently listed on our service on our website. The languages available are listed here HYPERLINK. You may also see what languages are available to be interpreted from here.

 Billing and Costs

  •  What will I pay for an interpreter?

    • How much you pay is up to you. It depends on the skill level you require and whc is available on the system at that time. We think you will be happy with the significant price differential.

  • What are the exact charges for a transaction?

    • You are charged the rate of the interpreter that is selected by the system. The rate is charged in minutes with a 5 minute minimum. You are never charged more than your specified maximum rate for an interpreter. If you choose to use phone numbers instead of Google Talk or Skype  you will incur additional charges to connect each partv.

  • What happens if I do not have enough credit in my account?

    • Once you have signed up as a customer and entered your information on our website you will need to add some money to your account. You can use major credit cards or Pay Pal. Once you have credit in your account you may use any of our services. Before starting a call make sure that your account has enough credit to complete the transaction. Once you reach a zero balance your connection to the interpreter will be cut.

  • What countries are available to call? Will it cost extra?

    • If our interpreters are calling your computer directly using Skype or Google Talk, you can be any where in the world. There is no limitation from our end. Most cell and standard phone numbers are available. Be advised that higher costs may be incurred to pay for the telecom connections.
  • How can I add credit to my account?

    • Once you enter your details you can fund your account by clicking on add funds in My Lingtastic. You can add credit by using major credit cards, or by PayPal. We mav add additional services in the future..

Online Help and Information Opening Page
  • What is My Lingtastic Home Page?

    • We designed our service so you only need to go to one page to get all your information.  Every user in our service has their own home page where they set up their personal information, receive messages, and can see what their transactions are.
  • What are the messages for?

    • Messages are from us to you.  Our message center communicates new features, issues, answers to your emails, and special pricing.  You may elect how many messages you want to see in the Preference section of your My Lingtastic Home Page.
  • What is Transaction Summary?

    • The transaction summary lists your most recent calls with our service.  You may elect in the Preferences section of your My Lingtastic Home Page how many transactions you would like to see on your home page. 

  •  What is My Evaluations?

    • The evaluations are feedback on your calls with our customers and translators.  Customers rate the level of service they have received from Translators as well as the quality of the call.  Translators also evaluate their calls.  This is our forum for understanding if the needs of both the customer and the translator are being met.  You may view all of your evaluations here.
  •  What are the Pay Pal /Credit card logos for?

    • Clicking on this graphic will take you directly to Pay Pal to process your account with us.  You may use Pay Pal or a credit card to fund your Lingtastic account.  At the present time we offer credit card services only through Pay Pal.
My Lingtastic Home Page Buttons
  • What is Personal Information?

    • This is where you enter some basic information about yourself.  Your address, telephone number, alternative email, and how you would like us to pay you are a few of the choices.
  • What is Preferences?

    • The Preference section lets you set up your My Lingtastic Home Page.  You can specify how many messages, transactions, and evaluations you would like to see when you enter this page.
  • What is the Message Button for?

    • The message area allows you to see all the messages you have received on our system for up to 60 days.  You may search through all your messages by a range of dates and view them in this area.
  • What is Transaction Review?

    • You may see all transactions you have conducted on our system.  You may see all transactions for up to two years.  You may search through the messages by a range of dates and view them in this area.
  • How do I use Find A Translator?

    • This option is where you go to select a translator/interpreter for your job.  All you need to do is fill in each option on the page.  After you make your selections, our system will go out and find the appropriate translator for you to work with.  Please see above for more detailed information.
  • What is the Evaluation Button for?

    • In your preference section you have the ability to select how many evaluations you would like to see on your My Lingtastic Home screen.  The Evaluations option allows you to see all of your Evaluations by a range of dates.

    Evaluations are very simple to use.  At the end of each transaction you will be supplied with a short 5 question online form.  Please take time to evaluate your call.  This helps us to determine the needs of both our translators and customers.

    You are able to view the evaluations of your calls online.  This should help you provide our customers with the level of service they require.
  • What is the FAQ-Help Button for?

    • The FAQ are general questions for when you become a translator.  There is good information here on our service and how it relates to you being involved with us. 

    The Help section is a guide to the various options in the system.  It details the use of your My Lingtastic Home page.
  • How do I use Feedback?

    • Do you have a comment?  A suggestion?  Have you found a problem in our site?  Take a moment to send us some feedback.  The form in this option gives us your feedback and directs it to the appropriate department.  All feedback is welcome.

 		 
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