When we Turkish learners attempt a translation we are corrected by native Turkish speakers - which is what we are here for after all. However, in a lot of cases it might be that our translation would be understood but is just not a 'strong sentence' as Erdinc once described it here http://www.turkishclass.com/forumTitle_27_5159. and Bod suggested there were these 5 'levels of correctness':

1. wrong and incomprehensible.
2. wrong but understandable.
3. gramatically correct but lingusitically awkward (weak)
4. totally correct (strong)
5. everyday colloquial terminology - linquistic fluency?

It would be helpful if the 'native' speaker could say whether or not the 'non-native' speaker's translation would actually make any sense to a Turk - we need to learn to communicate simply at first and then (hopefully) the more complicated grammatical construction will follow in time. Personally, I find it quite offputting when I attempt translations to see someone come in with something that looks so completely different - even changes in using words that are actually correct but that the Turkish person decided would look better in another way. However, many thanks to people like caliptrix, who explain the reasons for the changes very clearly.

This happens to me when I try to speak Turkish too -I appreciate and need correction but not so much that i am afraid to speak!! If I am talking to anyone (Turkish, German, Dutch, whatever) who I know doesn't speak English very well I try to use the simplest language possible not confusing them with long words and 'flowery' sentences but I find the Turkish people I know don't do this for me :-S

Some Turkish members on here have extremely good English and their English translations read very well but some others 'get the gist' and their English is understandable but not good at all. I think they might appreciate a native English speaker telling them where they are going wrong but without changing what they have said completely - so I am going to do this in future when I see 'weak' English translation! Hopefully this will be helpful to people wanting to improve their English - we are here to help each other.

İ've been wanting to write something similar for ages! Well done you! I saw a translation that read ' İ thinked' and İ thought yes it's understandable but incorrect-should İ say something or will they be offended at my correcting them?'
PS-sometimes İ'd like to correct the grammar and spelling of the English speakers too!!!

I think that is a wonderful idea. If people on this site are kind enough to help me speak Turkish correctly then it is only fair that we assist them to speak English correctly.

this is great because Im not an english native speaker and in this way I can improve my english and also learning turkish..double chances

I'm glad that this is now a sticky thread and that more users will read it and take notice.