Conlang Relay 14: Winter 2006

This ring is still in flux and will probably be extended. Also expect bubbles to be filled.

48 Hours

Each participant will get 48 hours to process the text. If you think this is a short time on some days for you, please lower the priority of these days in the Relay Scheduler so that the relay master can assign preferred days to you.

Bubbles

To synchronise with the schedule of the participants, there will be days when the torch will be 'frozen', i.e., sent back to the relay master without anyone working at it. A time where the torch is dormant at the relay master will be called a bubble.

Days

The 'official' relay day starts 0:00 GMT and ends 23:59 GMT. This merely means that the relay master will start the relay at 0:00 GMT and that after bubbles, the torch will be released at 0:00 GMT. Due to participants living in different time zone, some jitter should be expected. The important thing is that every participant is guaranteed 48 hours for processing the torch no matter when the torch arrives.

E-Mail

The relay game is played by e-mail. Participants must try to ensure that you can receive e-mails on the address listed in the Relay Scheduler. (Of course, technology is fragile, so participants can only try.)

Torch Archive

There will be a Torch Archive for archiving the relay steps for reconstruction if something goes terribly wrong (this has happened in the past). The Torch Archive is a closed mailbox where the participants must send a carbon copy of every outgoing e-mail of the relay.

Reception of text

From the person whom you follow, you will receive the Torch (i.e., an e-mail) containing a text in his/her language, the lexicon, glossary, and possibly interlinears and grammar notes. For details about the Torch's contents, see standard.

Deciphering

Using the information you receive, start deciphering the text.

If you are really struggling (or if the stuff you received lacks some vital information), then you may query the preceding participant by private email, but remember that he/she must not give you a sustained translation.

Translation

Translate the deciphered text into your own language.

If there are things you still do not understand in the source language, make an educated guess: it is better to have a consistent story based on a more-than-free translation than a word-for-word translation that makes no sense.

Three E-Mails

After you have made a version in your own language, send three emails (look up the addresses in the Relay Scheduler):

1: To the next participant and to the Torch archive

See standard for the contents of the Torch.

You must not send an English translation!

Important: try to not give more information than necessary for deciphering the text, but do give all information needed.

2: To the relay master and to the Torch archive

Send to the relay master everything you sent to the next participant, plus a smooth English translation of the text in your conlang.

Optionally, for inclusion in the final web page, you may also send to the relay master:

• a smooth translation of the text you received; such a translation will demonstrate how well you have understood your source text, and how you implemented that into your own conlang.
• a native version of the text as an UTF-8 text (if your language's native script is representable in Unicode) or in graphics format: .png, .jpg, .gif.
• if the translator wants this, a fully annotated interlinear analysis for easier reading of your text.

3: To the Relay List

An announcement that you have passed the torch to so and so.

Important: do not post your translation to the list!

This section lists the contents of the torch.