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@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@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,

On 4/6/07, Brion Vibber <brion@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
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