I've never had to ask for a paper copy (I still carry one of the cards around in my wallet). As for the translating part, it's fun but time-consuming (great when the line's moving at a snail's pace or when you're stuck in line and the ride has broken down temporarily, as was often the case in the early days of the ride). The best place to really translate is right at the end of the line, after you split and go up the stairs, because along the back wall is Mara and you switch back and forth in front of it a few times (it's high enough that you can see over most people's heads). If you really want to translate all of the Mara, I recommend bringing along a pad of paper and a pen so that you can write down the letters as you translate. Also, it's fairly easy to step to the side of the line and let others who aren't translating by you as there is no Mara written in the close-quarters single-file line areas (like in the hall with the spikes).
