General Questions

  • Why do you want to work for Lingtastic?
    Lingtastic is dedicated to bringing translation and interpreter services to the mass market. We believe that translators should be paid close to what the client pays. It is ridiculous that large companies outsource their translators to foreign countries then charge the end client many times what the translator receives. We believe that both clients and translators benefit from using Lingtastic and that more people will use translator services once the costs are less prohibitive.
  • What is a public beta?
    This is a new service. We spent a lot of time working on it and trying to get it right. We have spent days testing and trying to make our product perfect. Obviously the real test is when the product is actually being used. The Beta gives us the opportunity to find issues and to further perfect our service. During the Beta test period we will be open from 9am EST to pm EST. During this time we will feature both English and Spanish.. It is possible that we may be available 24 hours a day with other languages available. Throughout the month new features will be added.
  • Should I wait till the public beta is finished to join?
    No! That will put you at a disadvantage over those who joined earlier. The translators who join early will have priority over you when it comes to being chosen for work. It is in your best interests to try and use the system as much as possible. If you have a new language to add you should contact us to become a Master Translator.
  • I have never worked as a translator or an interpreter, can I work for you?
    Absolutely. Since you have no qualifications you cannot be termed a professional. You will be graded on your expertise. Our grades start at excellent and below. Some clients may require professional translators but many are happy with those that can just get the job done.
  • How much can I earn per hour?
    You set your own pay rate. Once you have had your skill graded you can pick one of the price levels that you feel is most suitable to your skills. You will be competing against others who have your skills. It is important to select the appropriate price level.
  • Why do I have to choose a price from the system rather just put a specific price?
    The rate levels are there to prevent people from choosing a rate fractionally lower than others to gain benefit by being chosen first. We have set up price levels that you can select from depending on your skills and needs. This also helps clients as skill levels will tend to be around the same price.
  • I am used to being paid per word why is Lingtastic per character?
    This is just a method we use to make it simpler for us. If you want to figure out what your rate is per word on average 100 words are about 660 characters.
  • What hours can I work and how often can I work?
    You can work as much as you like, at any time you choose. The more you are available for work the greater your loyalty bonus will be. Your chances of the system selecting you to work are greater. You also might find that by working off hours you can charge more for your service as less translators will be available.
  • Do I receive all the money from my work?
    No Lingtastic takes a 20% cut of the total fee. Our portion helps fund development and commissions to our partners and developers.
  • My language is not available for signing up, what can I do?
    This means we have not found a master translator for your particular language combination. If you are a highly skilled translator with years of experience you can apply to be the master translator for that language combination. This will make you the most “skilled” person on the service and provides other financial benefits. The master translator is in charge of the testing of new candidates and receives the fees from those tests as well. Applications can be sent to masters@lingtastic.com
  • I am fluent in several languages why can I not register for them all?
    There are people who are fluent at several languages. We allow you to only translate between a language and your “native” language.

 

 

Translation Questions

  • How do I receive my work?


  • What factors are involved in the choice of a translator?
    The main factors are skill and price level. Preference is given to those who have worked consistently for Lingtastic. We call this “loyalty” and loyalty points are awarded for several reasons such as being logged in and available for jobs. Not rejecting jobs etc.
  • How is the translator chosen?
    When some text to be translated comes into the service. The client specifies what are the most important factors to them; price and/or skill are usually the main factors. Sometimes a translator may be chosen because they are the cheapest available at a particular skill level, other times they may be chosen because they are the most skilled within a certain price range. All other factors being equal the translator with the greatest loyalty will be chosen.
  • How can I improve my chances of being chosen?
    Make sure you are not charging too much for your skill level. If others of the same skill charge less it is unlikely you will be chosen. Log on for long periods as much as possible.This will increase you loyalty points. Do not turn down any jobs as this also will effect your loyalty points in a negative way.
  • I am a translator does anyone know who I am?
    No one but Lingtastic knows who you are and your location. It is expressly forbidden under the terms of use of Lingtastic to give clients any information that would enable them to identify you or contact you outside the system. Such behavior will result in banning or suspension from the service.
  • How do I qualify to be a translator on Lingtastic?
    Be honest with yourself about your abilities. If you are truly bilingual then its an easy application process. You will put in some personal information and we will confirm your email address. Then you can download the Lingtastic software. Once this is downloaded you can request a grading test. You will be asked to grade yourself and detail any practical experience. You will receive several texts for you to translate each steadily becoming more difficult. This testing will take about 30 mins. Your results will then be judged by other translators on Lingtastic and your grade assigned.
  • I do not agree with my grade.
    You can reapply for a new grading after 4 weeks of using the system.
  • Does the test cost anything?
    Yes each test costs $40USD. You will be charged after you have made money on our system. As soon as you make $400 USD you will be billed $40USD for the grading test. This will be deducted directly from your account. Every time you apply to be regraded you will be charged $40USD.
  • I have never been a translator. Can I still work for you?
    Absolutely if your language skills are good enough but you have never actually had work experience being a translator then you can still work for us. Initially the maximum you skill level you can be graded is Excellent, Master and Professional are reserved for those with qualifications and experience. Later on you can apply for a higher grade and use your Lingtastic translations as your work experience.
  • How do I receive my work?
    Just log on to the service with your Lingtastic software. Jobs will be routed to you as they become available.
  • How am I paid?
    As our translators are based all over the world we use Western Union as our major method of payment. You may also elect to use Pay Pal.. All fees associated with the transfer are deducted from your account. If there is a $30 fee for sending $1000 via western union the $30 will be deducted from your account before sending and you will only receive $970.
  
     
     
     
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