Wikipedia Translation Guidelines: Best Practices for Contributors
Expanding the reach of knowledge across different languages is a core mission of Wikipedia. By translating articles from French, Spanish, or German into English, contributors play a vital role in building a comprehensive global encyclopedia. However, high-quality translation requires more than just moving words from one language to another; it requires careful verification, adherence to specific guidelines, and proper attribution.
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Key Facts
- Machine translation (such as DeepL or Google Translate) should only be used as a starting point, not a final product.
- Translators must follow LLM (Large Language Model) translation guidelines to ensure accuracy.
- All translations must be verified against original references to avoid spreading unreliable information.
- Copyright attribution is mandatory and must be included in the edit summary.
- Specifying a topic in templates helps improve article categorization.
The Role of Machine Translation
In the modern era, tools like DeepL and Google Translate have become accessible to everyone. While these tools are useful for providing a foundational draft, they are not infallible. A professional approach involves using these tools to grasp the initial meaning and then manually revising the text to correct errors and ensure the nuance of the original language is preserved.
Simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into English Wikipedia is insufficient. Translators are expected to refine the output to meet the high editorial standards of the platform, ensuring the final English version is natural and accurate.
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Quality Control and Verification
One of the most critical steps in the translation process is the verification of content. You should never translate text that appears to be of low quality or unreliable. Whenever possible, cross-reference the translated claims with the original citations and references provided in the source-language article. This ensures that errors in the original article are not inadvertently carried over into the new language version.
Proper Attribution and Documentation
Maintaining transparency regarding the source of information is essential for academic and encyclopedic integrity. When you contribute a translation, you must provide clear copyright attribution. This is done by including an interlanguage link to the source article within your edit summary.
For example, a standard attribution summary would look like this: "Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at [[:fr:Clematis recta]]; see its history for attribution." Additionally, it is good practice to add a translation template to the article's talk page to notify other editors of the content's origin.
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Categorization and Organization
To help keep Wikipedia organized, contributors are encouraged to use specific templates effectively. For instance, when using translation templates, specifying a topic can significantly aid in the categorization process. With over 1,237 articles already existing in certain main categories, precise labeling helps users and editors navigate the vast repository of information more efficiently.
Summary of Translation Requirements
| Requirement | Action Needed |
|---|---|
| Machine Translation | Use as a starting point only; revise and refine manually. |
| Accuracy | Follow LLM guidelines and verify against original references. |
| Quality | Avoid translating unreliable or low-quality text. |
| Attribution | Include interlanguage links in the edit summary. |
| Organization | Specify topics in templates to aid categorization. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Translate for my entire article?
No. Machine translation should only serve as a starting point. You must manually revise the text to correct errors and ensure it meets Wikipedia's quality standards.
How do I credit the original article?
You must provide copyright attribution in your edit summary by including an interlanguage link to the source article.
What should I do if the source text seems unreliable?
You should not translate text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. Always attempt to verify the information using the references provided in the source article.
Why is specifying a topic in the template important?
Specifying a topic helps with the categorization of the article, making it easier for readers and editors to find related content within the vast Wikipedia database.
Where can I find more detailed instructions?
For comprehensive guidance, you should refer to the official Wikipedia:Translation documentation.