Writing from the perspective as an experienced teacher of translation, the author discusses the assessment of translations – and eventually translators. The paper starts off by reviewing some of the literature on translation quality assessment, focusing on what the author calls ‘evaluation’, namely the placing of a value on a translation by means of a grade or pass mark. He moves from the pre-functionalist view of evaluation to later, more functionally-oriented views, pointing out the shift away from the dominance of the ST as an evaluation measure at all levels from word to text. Most approaches to the assessment of translations depend on the concept of error, rather than what is correct i.e. positive evaluation. Nevertheless, the author points out that both approaches lead to problems when attempting to quantify what is acceptable as an indication of translation competence.