Wikipedia Translation Guidelines for Machine-Translated Content
Translating content from one language to another is a vital part of expanding knowledge on Wikipedia. While modern technology has made this process faster, maintaining the encyclopedia's standards requires a careful balance between efficiency and accuracy. Using tools like machine translation—the automated translation of text from one language to another—can be a powerful starting point, but it is not a substitute for human oversight.
The Role of Machine Translation
Tools such as DeepL and Google Translate are highly useful for creating initial drafts. However, editors must not simply copy-paste machine-translated text directly into the English Wikipedia. Instead, translators are required to follow the LLM (Large Language Model) translation guideline, which emphasizes the need to revise errors and confirm that the final output is accurate and natural.
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Quality Control and Verification
Not all source material is suitable for translation. Editors should avoid translating text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. To ensure the integrity of the information, it is recommended to verify the claims in the foreign-language article using the references provided within that source.
Proper Attribution and Documentation
Copyright attribution is a mandatory requirement for all translations. When submitting an edit, the editor must provide an interlanguage link to the source article in the edit summary. For example, a model attribution would be: "Content in this edit is translated from the existing Spanish Wikipedia article at [[:es:Villa Sarmiento (Buenos Aires)]]; see its history for attribution."
Additionally, editors may add the {{Translated|es|Villa Sarmiento (Buenos Aires)}} template to the talk page to further document the origin of the content.
Key Facts
- Machine translation tools (e.g., DeepL, Google Translate) should be used as starting points, not final versions.
- All translations must adhere to the LLM translation guidelines.
- Unreliable or low-quality source text should not be translated.
- Copyright attribution via interlanguage links in the edit summary is mandatory.
- The
{{Translated}}template can be used on talk pages for additional tracking.
| Requirement | Action Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Revise and confirm machine-translated text | Prevent errors and maintain quality |
| Verification | Check source references | Avoid translating unreliable content |
| Attribution | Include interlanguage link in edit summary | Ensure copyright compliance |
| Documentation | Add {{Translated}} template to talk page | Provide clear source tracking |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste directly from Google Translate into Wikipedia?
No. Machine-translated text must be revised for errors and confirmed for accuracy according to the LLM translation guidelines before being added to the English Wikipedia.
What should I do if the source article seems unreliable?
You should not translate text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. If possible, verify the information using the references provided in the original foreign-language article.
How do I provide copyright attribution for a translation?
You must provide an interlanguage link to the source article within the edit summary of your contribution, referencing the source article's history for attribution.
Is the {{Translated}} template mandatory?
While copyright attribution in the edit summary is required, adding the {{Translated}} template to the talk page is an optional but helpful way to document the translation.
Where can I find more detailed guidance on this process?
For further instructions and comprehensive rules, editors should refer to the Wikipedia:Translation page.