What to do if you believe the wrong alternative is selected in KudoZ?
ATIL KAYHAN Turkey Local time: 17:27 Member (2007) Turkish to English + ...
Apr 12, 2011
I recently faced this scenario in KudoZ. One of the alternatives was mine, and I had every reason to believe that it was the right one. I was so sure about it. However, another alternative was picked up by the asker. What shall I do? What would you do? One option is just to ignore the situation, which is what I am currently doing. Are there others?
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Marie-Hélène Hayles Italy Local time: 16:27 Member (2004) Italian to English + ...
Nothing you can do
Apr 12, 2011
Just ignore it. It probably won't be the last time it happens, but it's the asker's prerogative to choose the answer he or she considers most helpful (note that right or wrong doesn't come into it as far as the Kudoz system is concerned!)
Just forget about it, there's nothing else you can do.
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Tomás Cano Binder, CT Spain Local time: 16:27 Member (2005) English to Spanish + ...
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Apr 12, 2011
Because it wanted to. There is little else you can do. Forget about it, and go on with your life.
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writeaway Local time: 16:27 Partial member Dutch to English + ...
Agree with colleagues-just forget about it
Apr 12, 2011
Askers are sacred. They rule on Kudoz. It used to be possible to post comments on closed questions such as: the wrong answer has been chosen or the wrong answer is in the glossary, but making those comments now is deemed a criminal offence.
So, as colleagues say, just forget about it and move on.
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efreitag Germany Local time: 16:27 Member (2006) Dutch to German + ...
Agree - ignore (and filter)
Apr 12, 2011
I agree with the colleagues: You should just ignore it. Also, in extreme and/or repeated cases, I usually filter the asker, so I don't waste more time in the future.
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You cannot "force" an asker to choose the correct response, but there are other things you can do to make your answer more likely to be selected (if it is, indeed, the "right" answer):
1. Make sure your answer contains a thorough explanation that is convincing enough to the asker. It may not always be enough just to post a link or what looks like your personal opinion. You should somehow "prove" that your answer is correct through references.
2. Disagree with the answers you believe are wrong, and explain why you are disagreeing.
3. Post a discussion entry when applicable.
The above steps should be sufficient. But if the asker still chooses the "wrong" answer, I would not worry about it.
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David Russi United States Local time: 08:27 English to Spanish + ...
Disagree and move on with your life
Apr 12, 2011
You can't say "the asker chose the wrong option", but you can disagree, and you can explain why, (on current and archived questions).
Then, forget it and move on.
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ATIL KAYHAN Turkey Local time: 17:27 Member (2007) Turkish to English + ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks!
Apr 12, 2011
Thank you all. I will go along with your valuable suggestions.
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Christine Andersen Denmark Local time: 16:27 Member (2003) Danish to English + ...
Please disagree or discuss if you have more to add
Apr 12, 2011
People do not always like it when KudoZ is called a game, but it is a sort of professional game or practice area, not quite as serious as work. Well, that applies to answerers at least.
(Even though the answers given in KudoZ may become part of someone's work later.)
One of the rules is, as Writeaway says, that the Asker's decision is sacred, or not up for discussion, and that is that.
Often the explanations given with the answers are enough for future users to see that the wrong answer was chosen. It is always possible to see ALL the answers, besides the one that was given points. These are often useful on later occasions, so your answer will still benefit others.
However, if you think further explanation is necessary, you are welcome to add it.
Better luck next time!
[Edited at 2011-04-12 19:09 GMT]
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Stéphanie Soudais France Local time: 16:27 Member (2006) English to French
Another option
Apr 12, 2011
If the asker made a glossary entry, you can click on "contribute to this entry" to the right of both terms, and explain why you disagree with the translation chosen.
Stéphanie
[Edited at 2011-04-12 13:34 GMT]
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efreitag Germany Local time: 16:27 Member (2006) Dutch to German + ...
contributions to the glossary
Apr 12, 2011
Stéphanie Soudais wrote:
If the asker made a glossary entry, you can click on "contribute to this entry" to the right of both terms, and explain why you disagree with the translation chosen.
Stéphanie
[Edited at 2011-04-12 13:34 GMT]
Yes, but as far as I know, these contributions will never be shown anywhere. Or has this behaviour changed recently?
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Stéphanie Soudais France Local time: 16:27 Member (2006) English to French
About the "contribute to this entry" option
Apr 12, 2011
efreitag wrote:
Stéphanie Soudais wrote:
If the asker made a glossary entry, you can click on "contribute to this entry" to the right of both terms, and explain why you disagree with the translation chosen.
Stéphanie
[Edited at 2011-04-12 13:34 GMT]
Yes, but as far as I know, these contributions will never be shown anywhere. Or has this behaviour changed recently?
As Writeaway pointed out and aside from simply disagreeing with the suggestion chosen, there is really not much one can do about it, except to make a contribution to the KOG-entry (if it is entered into KOG).
Contributing to a KOG-entry obviously cannot change the asker's choice, but it may put those who later find these terms on alert, especially if changes are made to make such contributions more visible.
I, too, have recently posted about this:
Derek Gill Franßen wrote:
Currently, and as far as I can tell, the only way to see the contributions made to KOG entries or whether they have been made at all is to click on "Contribute to this entry" on the page of the KudoZ question itself.
When I search the KudoZ open glossary entries, I can see that contributions have been made (although I have to click on "Add comment" to see what comments were made).
Here's to hoping these changes get implemented soon!
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Henry Hinds United States Local time: 08:27 English to Spanish + ...
Send a Message
Apr 12, 2011
If an asker chooses another's answer over mine, no problem. But if an asker chooses an answer that is flat wrong, whether or not I have answered the question, I will send that person a message explaining why the answer is wrong, hoping that it can be corrected before the translation is delivered. It is something I have done only very seldom, but the asker's usual response is positive, thanking me for catching the error in time.
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Ildiko Santana United States Local time: 07:27 Member (2002) English to Hungarian + ...
someone's loss, someone's gain
Apr 12, 2011
I whole-heartedly agree with Christine's every statement, thank you for your valuable input!
Christine Andersen wrote:
People do not always like it when KudoZ is called a game, but it is a sort of professional game or practice area, not quite as serious as work.
(Even though the answers given in KudoZ may become part of someone's work later.)
One of the rules is, as Writeaway says, that the Asker's decision is sacred, or not up for discussion, and that is that.
Often the explanations given with the answers are enough for future users to see that the wrong answer was chosen. It is always possible to see ALL the answers, besides the one that was given points. These are often useful on later occasions, so your answer will still benefit others.
However, if you think further explanation is necessary, you are weldome to add it.
Better luck next time!
Well put! I would like to reflect on the two observations that I believe really stand out:
1) ...the answers given in KudoZ may become part of someone's work later. - The very reason I get upset sometimes when incorrect, or even sub-standard, translations are chosen and saved in the glossary. In these 'blind-leading-the-blind' scenarios, these users contribute to the spreading of 'global misunderstandings' (the exact opposite of our purpose as professional translators).
2) It is always possible to see ALL the answers, besides the one that was given points. These are often useful on later occasions, so your answer will still benefit others. - I think this is what really keeps many of us going, despite our occasional disappointments. The KudoZ system in general is still an extremely valuable resource and a very constructive tool (if used appropriately).
My suggestion, besides 'disagree and move on' is: take what you like, and leave the rest!
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