[Translators-l] [Foundation-l] elections

[Fruggo]

Also, a shorter statement isn't necessarily easier to translate. The
statements often consist of difficult topics, which means that you need some
context in order to translate it correctly (I know I do). It is very
difficult to translate some loose sentences.
I do agree that statements should be written in simple words; of course a
candidate can write a difficult statement (which of course can also be
translated), but it would be nice if all official statements would be in
simple words (a more difficult version could be placed on the candidate's
user page, no need to forbid that).

-Fruggo

On 4/9/07, Michelle Gallaway <mgallaway at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> With respect, a lot of candidates are going to
> struggle to get their statements in in under 150 words.  I know that I would.  If we attempt to put a rule down like
> this, we're either going to be ignored by many candidates or at least stir
> up resentment.
>
> Maybe a better idea is to just refuse to translate statements over a
> certain size?  That way our more lexically inclined candidates can spout off
> their essay and be restricted to English voters only, or people can write
> concise, brief statements, and be translated?
>
> - Michelle G.
>
>
>
> On 4/7/07, Guillaume Paumier <guillom.pom at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > On 4/6/07, Brion Vibber <brion at wikimedia.org > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > The voting period was long, but there was very little time between the
> > > finalization of candidates and the beginning of voting. One
> > > consequence
> > > of this was that translators had not completed translation of
> > > candidate
> > > statements at the time the voting began.
> > >
> > > There should be more time ahead to prepare.
> >
> >
> > Indeed. Though translators really do their best, it is very difficult to
> > achieve translation of all candidate's statements. Last time the statements
> > were *suggested* not to exceed 1,000 characters [1]. Some rules must be
> > changed.
> >
> > I suggest the following extra rules :
> > * For the pre-(s)election candidates, only a *short presentation* (~50
> > words) ; easy and fast to translate, even for many candidates. These
> > statements may be translated only in « big » languages, i.e. those of
> > the most developed projects.
> > * For the final candidates, *no more than 150 words*. These statements
> > should be translated in as many languages as possible.
> > * All statements *must* be written in simple words, simple sentences
> > without any idioms.
> > * All candidates *must* write their statement in all languages they
> > speak. They know what they want to say better than anyone, so it's better to
> > have a rough translation by themselves that will be refined later than a
> > well-written serious mistranslation.
> >
> > To the future candidates: respect the work of translators. Last time,
> > some candidates largely exceeded the characters limit. Their statements were
> > however translated because the translators felt a moral obligation to
> > translate them. Though, such an attitude from candidates shows a disrespect
> > to our volunteer translators. So, if you long to be a community
> > representative, first respect the community by following these simple rules.
> > Thanks.
> >
> > [1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Election_candidates_2006/En
> >
> > --
> > Guillaume Paumier
> > [[m:User:guillom]]
> > http://www.wikimedia.org
> > _______________________________________________
> > Translators-l mailing list
> > Translators-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> > http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/translators-l
> >
> >
>
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