2003 Survivor Non-English Discussion Thread #2

[Lovepotion69]

LOL KM, I liked the translation. I know that friends of mine have used it when they've been too lazy to translate everything properly. They would of course know the language beforehand though, so they could go through the translation and correct it, but hey, it at least saved them some time...

 

[KillerMuffin]

That's true. It would save a lot of time. I never thought about that. And this bad boy translates into Korean--of which I speak.

*rubs hands together gleefully*

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Just don't try to use those programs with any language more complex than English. I ran a story through it to translate from English into Portuguese and it was very little short of gibberish. It would take twice as long to correct it as it would to rewrite the whole thing by myself.

Tried with Spanish, French and Italian and the results weren't that better.

 

[Chicklet]

Using Programs To Translate Stories

I really wish I'd included something about this - I don't think it's fair at all. It doesn't make any sense and you might as well pull out a dictionary and translate words without conjugating them. If you must do it, do it. But if you can get by without, by using an immunity, then please do.

Chicklet

 

[PenanceS]

Translations

Hey all.
Yes, I know that the process of using programmes is cheap, and might be considered cheating. However, in my defense, I did write a brand new english story wich I then had to translate in two paragraph incraments on Freetranslation.com.
There was no mention that we were not allowed to use a programme like this to translate. and if the programme does translate at least partially, than should that not be good enough.
I am dyslexic and have enough problems trying to spell english words on my own. I don't see why I should be foreced to use an immunity on this if we have to then cast out all other stories in that catagory. Its not our fault that we speak just one language English, and therefore should be punished for it.
I'm just trying to bring a little enjoyment and win a contest. is that too much hope for?

 

[SexyChele]

Okay, with regards to the foreighn language category: I'm not understanding what the big deal is here. If a person doesn't submit a story for this category, they might lose out on 3 points. So? If you write 3 stories in other categories for which you already have a story you've made up the 3 point differential. Or, if you get an immunity, you post the 2 points there, and write 1 story for another category.

Personally, I would rather do the extra stories than attempt to translate a story into another language badly. What's the point? Just to get 3 points?

But, Chicklet, I do have a question. Let's say I write a story and translate it to another language, but I know my skills in that language are not all that great. Would it be against the rules to do my translation then give the story to some one who is fluent in the language for them to edit it?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: Translations

I'm just trying to bring a little enjoyment and win a contest. is that too much hope for?

Bringing enjoyment - no.

Winning - yes.

Definitely too much to hope for. Remember, I'm in this contest.

 

[Guest]

Bottom line is this is a WRITING contest and it's about what we can write, not what we can feed into the computer and have spewed out in different languages.

Exactly.

 

[PenanceS]

Prolific.

Hey all. I admit it, i am trying to win this, but i am not breaking any rules. i just happen to be very, very prolific. if you will note. All of my writings have been singular, and i have followed the rules like everyone else.

I happen to be a freelancer and writing is how I make my living. I am trying to do the best I can, just like everyone else -- I just happen to have a little more time to devote to this.

Hey, I wish you all who are in the contest the best of luck,and congradulations for having the heart to go out and try this. I am trying my best to win, but to me it is having fun. I LOVE to write, and for me its all about being with a pen or a keyboard.

If people think that I am a jerk, then fine, but I am staying true to myself and my craft. If you are just out to bash me then fine...


But in the end, ENJOY THE CRAFT FOLKS. Love what you write, and write what you love.
Most of all, lets see to it that our boys over on the front lines get home safely...

Later
PenanceS

 

[DarlingNikki]

Re: Translations

Its not our fault that we speak just one language English, and therefore should be punished for it.

BTW, with respect, utmost sincerity, and genuine curiosity, if it is not your fault that you only speak English, whose fault is it?

 

[Guest]

Very true. I took Spanish in high school, but it is my fault I don't know it well.


(I think it was reading Man of La Mancha in Spanish that did it! )

 

[PenanceS]

Very true. I took Spanish in high school, but it is my fault I don't know it well.


(I think it was reading Man of La Mancha in Spanish that did it! )


__________________
Amen. As for me, I took three years of french in elementary school, only to find out my dyslexia came with non-english spelling quirks...

(and to top it all off, my sister in law...who is wondeful by the way... is peresian. Thank goodness she is bi-lingual

Thank-you all out there for supporting moi.

 

[Chicklet]

nonenglish

there is no rule about using a translator. I personally, personally, don't think it's ethical, but if anyone wants to use it, as long as it's an original story, it's nobody's business. nobodies? no one's? whatever.

so, no bashing, ok? i fear that i may have stepped out of polite official mode and bitched a bit too much and i'm sorry.

Chicklet

 

[Chicklet]

ps nonenglish

ps

i took 5 yrs of spanish in middle and high school, and all i know is 'permisio para ir al bano, por favor"

 

[Guest]

Re: ps nonenglish

ps

i took 5 yrs of spanish in middle and high school, and all i know is 'permisio para ir al bano, por favor"

Ya know, it's sad... Sesame Street teaches preschoolers more Spanish than my high school taught in the early to mid 90s. lol

 

[Chicklet]

nod, nod

where's the sesame street for US?

 

[Guest]

Senior year we got to watch Spanish Sesame Street for "fun". Damn near all I could understand was their English lessons. lol

 

[DarlingNikki]

Chicklet - sorry, I'm sure you were hoping this whole thing would die down, but one clarification - however one translates one's story, it can't be used for points in both non-English and another category, right?

 

[PenanceS]

non english vurses other catagory

Yeah , I found that out the hard way

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Well, I think the solution is pretty simple. Anyone can use the translator programs if they feel like it, but if the story is posted and accepted and it turns out unreadable (and I'm talking about the same editorial selection it has been used for English stories, lately), I'm sure a quick e-mail to Laurel will have it removed...

 

[sweetnpetite]

non-english rule

JMHO, but I think the non-english rule should be that it has to be *your* story, but its ok to get someone to translate it for you. Not everybody speaks a forein language, but most could get one story translated if we tried (online penpales, editors, friends or neighbors, ect) Also, not all of us have, or can offord to get, translation software. So I think its an unfair disadvantage bc. for those who don't speak a second language have no way to overcome this obstacle. We should at least have a chance. (Also unfairly punishes honesty)

But I will abide by whatever decision is made.

:humbly lowers head and awaits responce:

 

[obedientpet]

Re: non-english rule

So I think its an unfair disadvantage bc. for those who don't speak a second language have no way to overcome this obstacle. We should at least have a chance.

But you do have a way to overcome it. Learn a language. Sure, it sounds easier than it is to do but just think about how much richer your mind will be afterwards.

Anyway, everyone has their weakness. (Or weaknesses as some may have several?) Isn't that what the immunities are for?

 

[sweetnpetite]

reply to 2 chele and nikki

Okay, with regards to the foreighn language category: I'm not understanding what the big deal is here. If a person doesn't submit a story for this category, they might lose out on 3 points. So? If you write 3 stories in other categories for which you already have a story you've made up the 3 point differential. Or, if you get an immunity, you post the 2 points there, and write 1 story for another category.
****************
Its a big deal because its a lot harder to write 3 stories than to write 1. plus, if you had a non-english, those 3 stories would give you 3 *aditional* points not 3 to make up for the 3 you could have made in one story


***********
But, Chicklet, I do have a question. Let's say I write a story and translate it to another language, but I know my skills in that language are not all that great. Would it be against the rules to do my translation then give the story to some one who is fluent in the language for them to edit it?
**********
my first response would be "of course", but then what is the cutoff point for "not that great" obviously you can' t make a rule for this. There's no way to monitor honesty on this one, and that makes it a very unfair (and essentially uninforceable) rule. The only way you'd even know if somebody cheated would be if they admitted it.

__________________






DarlingNikki
Really Experienced

Registered: Dec 2002
Location:
Posts: 199
2 cents
I'm with SexyChele on this one. I'm not sure where all this "should" get to do this and "should" get to do that is coming from. I really don't see how we're being "punished" when this contest is purely optional. We all have categories that we can't or won't contribute to for one reason or another - that's what immunities are for.
**************
See above. Yes the contest is optional, most contests are. People are still being punished because they are not given an obstacle they can overcome. It would be fine if it where harder for some than others, but its not fair that its impossible for some. There is no category other than forien language that anybody could honeslty say they *can't*contribute too. Won't is a diferent story. At least you have a choice. You can choose not to write the story or you can push yourself and your boundaries and try something different. Its all up to you.

*************
Translating software makes lousy translations. Now I'm not the best author out there and not all my stories are going to be good, but not for lack of trying on my part. Everything I submit will represent effort. It makes me feel good to imagine that I have or will eventually have an audience and I would not subject them to anything less than my best effort just for the sake of 3 points. I would no more want to disappoint some French/Spanish/German etc. speaker by posting an unreadable story than I would want to disappoint an English speaker by posting a crappy story.
**************

I totaly agree however, you would be punished (3 points) for your integrety. Maybe it dosn't feel like a punishment to you, but it does to many. ANd there are many who will be willing to post substandard material for the contest, and then the lit audience is essentially punished. There's enough bad material out there without encouraging more!


*****
Bottom line is this is a WRITING contest and it's about what we can write, not what we can feed into the computer and have spewed out in different languages.
*****

exactly a writing contest on a writing site. Not a forien language contest. We all came here cuz we like writing stories about sex. That should be the focus. Everyone should be able to participate in every category that they want to. If they choose not to, that is a diferent story.

************
Those who have the skill to write in more than one language have an advantage in this ONE category, and those who don't will have to find their advantage elsewhere, but no one's being punished.
**********

Everyone should be able to participate in every category that they want to. If they choose not to, that is a diferent story. If you where in a triatholon with a bird man and the third leg was flight, it would be unfair for you not to be able to use mechanical means. It would be wrong of the contest coordinators to say, "this contest is voluntary anyway so your not being punished bc you can't fly. Birdman only had the advantage in one category of the event." Well that might be a silly example, but you get my point.

 

[PenanceS]

Re: reply to 2 chele and nikki

Okay, with regards to the foreighn language category: I'm not understanding what the big deal is here. If a person doesn't submit a story for this category, they might lose out on 3 points. So? If you write 3 stories in other categories for which you already have a story you've made up the 3 point differential. Or, if you get an immunity, you post the 2 points there, and write 1 story for another category.
****************
Its a big deal because its a lot harder to write 3 stories than to write 1. plus, if you had a non-english, those 3 stories would give you 3 *aditional* points not 3 to make up for the 3 you could have made in one story



****
Bottom line is this is a WRITING contest and it's about what we can write, not what we can feed into the computer and have spewed out in different languages.
*****

exactly a writing contest on a writing site. Not a forien language contest. We all came here cuz we like writing stories about sex. That should be the focus. Everyone should be able to participate in every category that they want to. If they choose not to, that is a diferent story.

************
Those who have the skill to write in more than one language have an advantage in this ONE category, and those who don't will have to find their advantage elsewhere, but no one's being punished.
**********

Everyone should be able to participate in every category that they want to. If they choose not to, that is a diferent story. If you where in a triatholon with a bird man and the third leg was flight, it would be unfair for you not to be able to use mechanical means. It would be wrong of the contest coordinators to say, "this contest is voluntary anyway so your not being punished bc you can't fly. Birdman only had the advantage in one category of the event." Well that might be a silly example, but you get my point.

I know that the whole translation thing is due to little old me. I can't speak any other language than english, and yes I could learn another. I can speak a smattering of french, however my spelling and grammer (because my dyslexia) is attrocoius. I used the translating software because I figured it would help me -- much the way a dictionary or a spellcheck helps out -- it was an extra catagory, and extra points.

I wrote a brand new story for it, and ran it through the software to check what I thought was right, and posted. There was no warning that we werent allowed to do this, and I saw no reason not to.

All I can say is go have fun, and try our bests out there. For people who actually are able to speak and WRITE in another language, congrats, my hat is off to you.

But I fullfilled my catagory obligation. I wanted to get the 3 extra points, I did it -- before anyone else ever thought of it -- and I am proud that I actually thought of it.

"Those who say it cannot be done, have never tried to do it."
"The longest story begins with a single letter..."
Later all. PenanceS

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: Re: non-english rule

okay, folks, here's the thing. i want all non-english comments and questions in the "non-english" thread, so we don't clutter this one up, ok?

I've already stated my opinions and reasons for the non-english rules, and my mind probably isn't going to be changed on it. It's not because I hate you, or because anyone pisses me off, or any of that. it's just what i think is fair. so, go to the other thread, where i'll be sending all these posts as soon as i have time.


chicklet

I'm washing my hands!!!

I ain't getting dragged into this again!