ICL wrote:
That is why I suggested a system based on points to be deducted for each kind of error made (either spelling, grammar, etc. AND source text omissions, misinterpretations, etc.), so that in the end you get the really "best" ones as finalists.
With this sort of suggestions we'll soon have a close-to-perfect competition. Thx, Ivette. And I think there should be a way of encouraging more participants to vote, without disqualifying their own entries. Maybe people should be allowed to vote on their own translations, but such vote would only be valid if they gave the same score to another contestant. In a system where players are also referees there is a need for exceptional measures. Otherwise there will always be cases of only 1 qualified entry 10 minutes before the end the qualifying stage, or pairs in which there is no winner at the finals.
Mr. Smirnov claims that misspelt or grammatically-wrong sentences cannot "fairly convey a message"
"You want picture my house, my camel? You pay" "les dos qui se voûte"
Would these two sentences ever mislead you as to what they mean?
But again, this is no excuse the pepper your translation with mistakes.