Wikipedia Translation Guidelines for German Content
Translating content from German to English on Wikipedia is a valuable way to expand the platform's knowledge base. However, ensuring the accuracy and legality of these contributions requires a structured approach. Whether you are using advanced AI tools or manual translation, following specific quality and attribution standards is essential for maintaining encyclopedic integrity.
Key Facts
- Machine translation (e.g., DeepL or Google Translate) should be used as a starting point, not a final product.
- Translators must adhere to the LLM translation guideline to correct errors.
- Unreliable or low-quality source text must not be translated.
- Copyright attribution is mandatory in the edit summary.
- Interlanguage links must be provided to the source article.
The Role of Machine Translation
Modern tools like DeepL and Google Translate provide a useful foundation for translating complex German text. However, these tools are not infallible. Translators are expected to revise machine-generated text to ensure it is accurate and flows naturally in English, rather than simply copy-pasting the output into a Wikipedia entry.
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Quality Control and Verification
Not all source material is suitable for translation. If the original German text appears unreliable or of low quality, it should be bypassed. Whenever possible, translators should verify the facts within the text using the references provided in the original foreign-language article to ensure the English version remains factual.
Attribution and Documentation
Because Wikipedia content is licensed, proper credit must be given to the original authors of the source text. This is handled through specific documentation steps during the editing process.
The Edit Summary
Every translation edit must include a copyright attribution in the edit summary. This summary should provide an interlanguage link to the source. For example, a model attribution would state: "Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at [[:de:Beimerstetten]]; see its history for attribution."
Talk Page Templates
In addition to the edit summary, contributors may add the {{Translated|de|Beimerstetten}} template to the article's talk page to clearly signal that the content was translated from German.
| Requirement | Action Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tool Usage | Revise machine translation via LLM guidelines | Ensure accuracy and readability |
| Source Check | Verify references in the original article | Prevent spread of low-quality info |
| Attribution | Include interlanguage link in edit summary | Legal copyright compliance |
| Documentation | Use {{Translated}} template on talk page | Transparency for other editors |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste directly from Google Translate?
No. Machine translation should only be a starting point. You must revise the text for errors and ensure it follows the LLM translation guidelines before posting.
What should I do if the German source text seems unreliable?
You should not translate text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. Try to verify the information using the references listed in the source article first.
How do I properly attribute a translation?
You must provide a copyright attribution in your edit summary, including an interlanguage link to the original German article and a note to see its history for attribution.
Is the {{Translated}} template mandatory?
While the edit summary attribution is required, adding the {{Translated|de|ArticleName}} template to the talk page is an optional but encouraged step for better documentation.