FAQ

What does IM Translator do?
What's new in this version?
What is Russian Transliteration?
Can IM Translator be used with other programs?
How accurate is the translation?
How much can IM Translator translate at once?
How can I translate longer text or web pages?
How do I translate text that I received through IM programs?
How do I translate text that I want to send through IM programs?
Why is the translated text identical to the source text? Why is it not translated?
Do you have a desktop version of the translation software?
I am interested in the translation engine to be used on my web site.
Why do you have a limited number of language pairs?

What does IM Translator do?

IM Translator provides instant translation of short messages from ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and other applications between major European languages via PROMT translation server. The selection of language pairs is limited to the number of available translation engines. New language pairs are constantly added.

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What's new in this version?

Supports major instant messenger services.

The new version of IM Translator works with ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger and other messenger services.

Works with multiple translation servers for greater reliability.

IM Translator uses multiple servers in different locations to perform translation. The program automatically checks servers for availability and connects to the available one. This guarantees greater reliability of the translation process.

Provides transliterated support for Russian language.

IM Translator includes a transliteration module for Russian language. This will allow you to represent the Russian text with Latin characters (or transliterate) in order to facilitate the transmission of Russian messages via the Internet.

The transliteration module uses a conversion table especially adapted for the translation needs. The transliteration table is located on the server and is automatically updated when needed. You can use the transliteration module without being online. For better communication using Russian transliterated language, we recommend for both parties to use IM Translator.

If you don't know whether the other party is able to receive and read a Russian text, IM Translator offers you an additional language pair RussianуTranslit you can find in the list of available languages. With this language pair you can convert your Russian message into a transliterated text (and vice versa) and send it out.

If you don't know whether the other party is able to receive and read a Russian text, IM Translator offers you an additional language pair Translit уRussian which you can find in the list of available languages. With this language pair you can convert your Russian message into a transliterated text (and vice versa) and send it out.

IM Translator is designed the way that it can translate both authentic Russian and transliterated Russian texts. This can be done by checking the "Transliterated Russian" feature in the Options menu. Check the option "When translating from Russian" to translate from a transliterated Russian text. Check the option "When translating to Russian" to display the Russian translation with Latin characters (transliterate).

Unicode compatible - simultaneous display of non-English and Cyrillic characters in many applications.

The program supports drag-n-drop, copy-paste and built-in hotkey mechanisms. In most cases, for best results we recommend to use drag-n-drop feature.

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What is Russian Transliteration?

IM Translator provides a transliteration module for Russian language. This will allow you to represent the Russian text with Latin characters (transliterate) in order to facilitate transmission of the Russian message via the Internet.

The transliteration module uses a conversion table especially adapted for the translation needs. The transliteration table is located on the server and is automatically updated when needed. You can use the transliteration module without being online. For better communication using Russian transliterated language, we recommend for both parties to use IM Translator.

To translate your message from any language into Russian and send it out in a transliterated form, check the option "when translating to Russian" in the options dialog. To indicate the change, any language pair with Russian will then show "Russian Rt" as the target language. When translating your message into Russian, your message will be converted into the transliterated form.

If you received a Russian message written in Latin characters (transliterated) and want to translate it into your language, check the option "when translating from Russian" in the options dialog.

You may also use the IM Translator as a converter between Russian in Cyrillic characters and Transliterated and vice-versa.

If you need to send a Russian message, and you don't know whether the other party is able to receive and read a Russian text, you select "RussianуTranslit" from the list of languages, type your text and then press "Translate" button to perform the conversion. In the translation box you will receive encoded text.

To perform the opposite conversion, select "TranslitуRussian" in the direction list.

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Can IM Translator be used with other programs?

Yes. Just drag-n-drop or copy and paste the text from any application into the IM Translator window, click the Translate button and get an immediate translation. Or use hotkeys for faster text transfer.

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How accurate is the translation?

Machine translation produces reasonable results in most cases. But it cannot substitute a human translation. For best results, write in complete sentences, check your spelling (as it cannot translate misspelled words), and avoid idioms and slang (such as "What R U doing?).

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How much can IM Translator translate at once?

IM Translator is designed to translate up to 500 characters at a time (about 80 words). This length is adequate for most messages. If your text is longer, the service translates it up to that limit and then truncates the message.

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How can I translate longer text or web pages?

If you need to translate unlimited texts or work off-line, visit our Smart Link online catalog at http://www.smartlinkcorp.com to purchase a desktop version of translation program.

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How do I translate text that I received through Instant Messenger programs?

You can invoke IM Translator in three ways:

-- Press the hotkey and select the text for translation with the left mouse button. Release the button.
or
-- Select the text and press the keyboard hotkey.
or
-- Copy the text to clipboard, activate IM Translator and paste the text into the upper box. Then click "Translate" button or press Ctrl+Enter. The translation will appear in the lower box, displayed in blue font.

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How do I translate text that I want to send through IM programs?

Type the text that you want to translate in the IM Translator window. Click the "Translate" button.

If "auto-copy to Clipboard" option is enabled, the translated text is automatically copied to the clipboard. Otherwise select the translation, and copy it to clipboard manually, through toolbar or hotkeys.

Now switch to the IM window, and paste the translated text.

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Why is the translated text identical to the source text? Why it is not translated?

Usually it means that you trying to translate the text using incorrect direction. For example, you try to translate English text, while Direction box points to "French-Russian" pair. In such a case, French translation engine won’t recognize your English text at all, and return you the source text as the translation.

Always make sure that the direction is set according to the actual language used.

Another reason for this error may be that your text for translation has too many spelling errors. Incorrectly spelled words cannot be translated.

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Do you have a desktop version of the translation software?

Yes! We offer desktop versions of this translation software that can translate files of unlimited length, and includes many advanced features. Please visit Smart Link Corporation online catalog at http://www.smartlinkcorp.com for more information.

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I am interested in the translation engine to be used on my web site.

Please contact Smart Link Corporation at 949-552-1599.

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