tolingo, the translators

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How does tolingo work?
tolingo is a 24/7 online translation agency. Our innovative system enables us to provide both customers and translators with a more transparent and flexible service. We emphasize three main criteria: quality, speed and cost efficiency.

The translation process begins as soon as the customer places his/her order. As soon as the order is activated, a suitably qualified, available translator accepts the assignment and proceeds to translate it using our online translation software. Our online software means that the customer can track the progress of the translation.

After translation, if the customer opts to have the text proofread, it is passed onto a senior translator who checks the text for errors and makes any necessary corrections. After the proofreading phase, the document is passed onto quality control where the final checks are carried out. If we are satisfied that the translation meets our quality standards, it is delivered to the customer.
Who operates tolingo
tolingo.com is operated by tolingo GmbH in Hamburg. The company was founded in the summer of 2007 by Hanno v.d Decken. Hanno continues to develop solutions for an efficient online translation service.
How can I contact tolingo?
The most common questions about tolingo accounts or the translator network have already been answered here. Should your question remain unanswered, please contact us using our contact form.

We are always grateful for feedback and suggestions from both our customers and translators. If you would like to share your comments with tolingo, please contact us using our contact form. Press information can be found on our press page.
How can I register an account?
If you would like to register a customer account, please follow this link: register customer.

If you would like to apply to work as a translator please use our translator applications page.
Do I have to pay for the registration
No, registration at our online translation platform is free for translators and customers alike.
What happens to my personal data?
tolingo requires your personal information to process your order. Your security is of utmost importance to us, and we treat your data with the highest confidentiality. You can access and edit/delete your personal details at any time. Please see our terms and conditions for more detailed information.
What do I do if I forget my login details?
If you forget your password, you can request a new one. Simply click on the forgotten password link, follow the instructions and we will send you a new password by e-mail.
How can I delete my tolingo account?
Your tolingo account can be quickly and easily deleted at any time. If you are a translator, your earnings will be transferred on the 15th of the next month. If you want to delete your account please inform us using our contact form.
Why choose tolingo translations?
tolingo provides online translation services in a wide range of languages and specialist categories. As a customer, we offer you an easy and cost efficient solution to all your translation requirements. Thanks to our large online network of certified translators, we can immediately find a suitable translator for your order at any time day or night. We will treat your document and personal data with the utmost confidentiality.
How much does it cost?
The price for your order will be calculated according to the word count, the language combination and the category of the text. We also take into account whether you require your text to be proofread by a senior translator.

To request an immediate, free and non-binding quote for your order simply enter or upload your text into our cost calculator on our home page.
How long will I have to wait?
The processing time for your order is dependent on two factors:
  • length of the text
  • category of the text
As a rule, an experienced translator can translate around 2,000 words a day. tolingo will send your order to a translator as soon as your payment is processed.
How can I pay?
In most cases we employ a strict payment in advance policy. However, for regular and company customers, it is possible to arrange to pay on account.
What languages are available?
Thanks to our worldwide network of certified translators, we are able to offer a broad range of target languages. We are constantly widening our selection, but you will find our currently available language combinations in the cost calculator on our home page. If you require a language combination that is not listed in our cost calculator, please contact us using our contact form.
How long does a translation take?
When you enter your text into the cost calculator you will also recieve an estimation of how long it will take to translate your order. The estimated processing time depends on the word count, the category of the text, the language combination and whether or not you request proofreading. toilngo always endeavours to complete your translation as quickly as possible.
What types of file can tolingo translate?
You can either enter your text freely into the text box of the cost calculator or you can upload the file that you wish to have translated. We are currently able to translate DOC, RTF, TXT and PDF files.

In the near future we will provide additional functions and services to allow us to incorporate pictures and formatting into your translated text.
How can I collect my translation?
You will receive an e-mail from tolingo to tell you when your text is ready for collection.

As a customer you can change your settings in your user account to choose if you would like us to send the text to you as an e-mail, or if you would prefer to download the document from your tolingo user account.
Can tolingo translate texts from specialist categories?
tolingo also translates text that belong to specialist categories such as Law or Marketing. These translations are carried out by qualified translators who are experienced in the relevant field.
What do you do with pictures and formatting within the original text?
Unfortunately it is currently impossible for us to incorporate pictures and formating into your completed translation. Your finished order will consist purely of text. Please be aware of this when you place your order!

We will soon make additional services available to allow us to incorporate pictures and formating into your finished document. We will inform you as soon as this facility is up and running, and we thank you for your patience and understanding in the meantime.
Is it possible for me to make particular requests about my translation?
Yes, when you place your order at tolingo, you are given the opportunity to fully brief your translator on the text. We always appreciate as much information as possible, to ensure an accurate translation.

If your translator has questions about the text, he or she can contact you via our internal messaging system. In this case tolingo will inform you by email.
Who will be able to read my text, and will it be secure?
We will treat your text with the utmost care and responsibility. The entire translation process takes place exclusively on our internet platform meaning that your document can not be downloaded by your translator or third parties. Additionally, all translators have to accept a confidentiality agreement in order to register and work for tolingo.
What quality controls are carried out on the translation?
tolingo only works with qualified and experienced translators. To translate specialist category texts, the translator must have proven knowledge of the relevant field. Furthermore we insist on regularly checking the standard of every translator's work. For extra peace of mind, you can opt to have your text proofread by a senior translator.
When you collect your completed translation, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your level of satisfaction with the translation process at tolingo. We are grateful for all customer feedback, because this helps us to improve and expand our service for the benefit of our customers.
What do I do if I have a complaint?
We take all customer complaints very seriously. If you are unhappy with the quality of our service, we will do our best to understand the cause of your dissatisfaction and to find a solution. If there are indeed mistakes in the translation we will initially send the text to a second translator/proofreader. If we are unable to resolve the problem, we reserve the right to reimburse the customer and to reclaim part/all of the costs from the translator.
Why should I translate at tolingo?
tolingo can offer you work and guaranteed payment. tolingo also does the customer acquisition, customer service and invoicing for you, leaving you free to concentrate on translating. You can register with tolingo free of charge, and you will be able to take on as many or as few assignments as you like. Translators are also able to preview the assignment and the relevant details (payment, time limit) before they decide if they want to accept it. Furthermore, all of our assignments are carried out using our online software, so all you need is a computer and internet access.
What do I need to do to work for tolingo?
To work with us you must be a qualified and experienced translator, fluent in at least one foreign language and possess excellent written communication skills in your native language. You must be a native speaker of the target language in order to accept assignments into this language. If you wish to translate specialist category texts, you will need to prove your knowledge and experience in the relevant field.
Are there legal obligations associated with registering at tolingo?
No, there are no legal obligations associated with your registration. You are free to accept\reject as many assignments as you wish. However, when you accept an assignment you must observe the time limit for the translation, in order to complete the assignment successfully.
How much can I earn by translating at tolingo?
Before you decide whether or not to accept an assignment, you will be able to view a full briefing including information on the time limit and payment that you will receive upon successful completion.

The payment for each assignment is calculated according to the word count as well as the language combination and category of the text.
When will I be paid?
You payment for each month is transferred on the 15th of the following month.

Please note that we observe the right to withold or deduct payment, if you do not observe our terms and conditions, or if we determine your work to be of unacceptable quality.
What happens if my computer crashes during the assignment?
Every few minutes your assignment will be automatically saved by tolingo. You will also be warned if your internet connection times out. Unfortunately we can't guarantee that your work will be saved, if there are problems with your internet connection so we would recommend that you additionally save a copy of your work by copying it into to a word document.
What do I do if I have questions about the text?
Please save your assignment and use the contact form to contact tolingo.
Who checks and evaluates my work?
Your work will be checked and evaluated by an independent translator within our network.
What happens if the customer complains about my work?
The tolingo team will ask an independent senior translator/proofreader to examine the cause of complaint and to evaluate your work. Depending on the outcome, we will decide on the best course of action.