Distinguishing Fact from Opinion.

[Mr Gray]

My opinion is that the statements themselves are facts. I know they are because I can see and read them.

Others, including you, assert that their contents aren't factual, but I have seen no evidence which confirms that.

People's opinions concerning misinterpretations and faulty translations are not, in my opinion, supported by any evidence.

The statements are factual...whether they are accurate is opinion...there is evidence to support their innaccuracy...imo

[slartibartfast]

The statements are factual...whether they are accurate is opinion...there is evidence to support their innaccuracy...imo

So far you have produced some minor inconsequential errors in support of your case, that cannot be seen as proof of widespread errors.

[Eleanor]

I seem to recall that the IMOs came about due to the posting of “facts” by supporters.

In Your Opinion.

[John]

It is often a fine line between opinion and fact but we here stride to show the difference.

[John]

I seem to recall that the IMOs came about due to the posting of “facts” by supporters.

If I recall it was the constant reference to abduction as if it were a foregone conclusion.

[Mr Gray]

So far you have produced some minor inconsequential errors in support of your case, that cannot be seen as proof of widespread errors.

All your opinion.... And I have never used the word proof
I have produced several pieces of evidence to support my opinion

[slartibartfast]

If I recall it was the constant reference to abduction as if it were a foregone conclusion.

Yes, that was it.

[G-Unit]

The statements are factual...whether they are accurate is opinion...there is evidence to support their innaccuracy...imo

I have not seen any evidence of ignificant inaccuracies.

[John]

You prove my point inas much that one persons fact may be an opinion....you want to accept that the twice translated non verbatim statements are accurate and think that is a fact....I would say it isnt and that my opinion is supported by evidence....

Interpreting from one language to another is not an exact science as many words do not translate directly.  When Anne recorded and translated the libel trial reports I checked them all for accuracy and good English. There were occasions when words had to be replaced but in general the understanding of the content wasn't disturbed.  As far as the McCann case files are concerned the interpreters did a good job to the extent that few errors have been found.

[Mr Gray]

Interpreting from one language to another is not an exact science as many words do not translate directly.  When Anne recorded and translated the libel trial reports I checked them all for accuracy and good English. There were occasions when words had to be replaced but in general the understanding of the content wasn't disturbed.  As far as the McCann case files are concerned the interpreters did a good job to the extent that few errors have been found.

IM not criticising the translators but we have no transcript to check how accurate they are...they are not verbatim but paraphrased.....Rebelo admitted there could be mistakes.....Sutton has said more...no one should be asked to sign a statement that they cannot understand...it is not possible to claim that the statements are totally accurate......they may or may not be...imo it is unlikely they are

[faithlilly]

IM not criticising the translators but we have no transcript to check how accurate they are...they are not verbatim but paraphrased.....Rebelo admitted there could be mistakes.....Sutton has said more...no one should be asked to sign a statement that they cannot understand...it is not possible to claim that the statements are totally accurate......they may or may not be...imo it is unlikely they are

Do you have a cite for your claim that Rebelo admitted that there could be mistakes in the translations?

[Mr Gray]

Do you have a cite for your claim that Rebelo admitted that there could be mistakes in the translations?

It's from an article in the daily mail which I've posted several times

[Brietta]

Do you have a cite for your claim that Rebelo admitted that there could be mistakes in the translations?

In my opinion just one of the many things the investigation under Rebelo had to put into operation to bring some order to the chaos inherited from his predecessor.


Madeleine McCann: Possible translation errors

By Fiona Govan in Praia da Luz2:16PM GMT 12 Nov 2007

Inconsistencies in the statements given by the McCanns and the group of friends who were dining with them at the time of Madeleine's disappearance may have been caused by errors in translation, it emerged today.

Portuguese detectives investigating the case of the missing four-year-old have admitted that they are reassessing the original witness statements to look for inaccuracies in their translation.

"In the early days of the investigation there were dozens of statements being given at what was a very confusing time," a police source said.

"Obviously the police acted in good faith in their selection of translators but given all that has been said about the various contradictions in the versions of events, detectives are now re-examining the possibility that there may have been some problems," he said.

The admission came as police undertake a thorough review of the case under the new head of the inquiry, Portugal's second most senior policeman Paulo Rebelo, 45.

He was brought in to take over from Chief Inspector Goncalo Amaral, 47, who was sacked at the beginning of October, following a swathe of criticism that the police investigation had been flawed from the start.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1569143/Madeleine-McCann-Possible-translation-errors.html

[faithlilly]

In my opinion just one of the many things the investigation under Rebelo had to put into operation to bring some order to the chaos inherited from his predecessor.


Madeleine McCann: Possible translation errors

By Fiona Govan in Praia da Luz2:16PM GMT 12 Nov 2007

Inconsistencies in the statements given by the McCanns and the group of friends who were dining with them at the time of Madeleine's disappearance may have been caused by errors in translation, it emerged today.

Portuguese detectives investigating the case of the missing four-year-old have admitted that they are reassessing the original witness statements to look for inaccuracies in their translation.

"In the early days of the investigation there were dozens of statements being given at what was a very confusing time," a police source said.

"Obviously the police acted in good faith in their selection of translators but given all that has been said about the various contradictions in the versions of events, detectives are now re-examining the possibility that there may have been some problems," he said.

The admission came as police undertake a thorough review of the case under the new head of the inquiry, Portugal's second most senior policeman Paulo Rebelo, 45.

He was brought in to take over from Chief Inspector Goncalo Amaral, 47, who was sacked at the beginning of October, following a swathe of criticism that the police investigation had been flawed from the start.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1569143/Madeleine-McCann-Possible-translation-errors.html

So where does Rebelo make the statement claimed ?

[G-Unit]

IM not criticising the translators but we have no transcript to check how accurate they are...they are not verbatim but paraphrased.....Rebelo admitted there could be mistakes.....Sutton has said more...no one should be asked to sign a statement that they cannot understand...it is not possible to claim that the statements are totally accurate......they may or may not be...imo it is unlikely they are

In my opinion the bold text is an example of someone thinking they're posting a fact when they're not.