Version at: 25/03/2013, 16:17
#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
## The Aims of the Tatoeba Project
* Briefly, ...
* We are collecting sentences and their translations into other languages.
<!-- http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/1411242 -->
* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
## The 6 Basic Rules
You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.
1. We want complete sentences.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
2. Don't change sentences that are correct.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
- You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternate translations.
3. Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
4. We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
_Of course, we don't want computer translations._
5. Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
6. Don't add annotations.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611377) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
_In other words, don't do this kind of thing. X It's raining cats and dogs. (idiom) X I like her/him._ For more details, ...
* Read our blog entry on [how to be a good contributor](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html).
* Read our blog entry about [our submission policy](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/08/submission-policy-what-kind-of-content.html).
<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">translate a sentence</span> by clicking on this icon  whenever you see it.
* Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
2. You can add <span style="font-weight: bold;"> alternate translations</span>. ()
* If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all.
* Just make sure you are adding the translations to the other language. (In other words, don't add an English translation to an English sentence.)
3. You can<span style="font-weight: bold;"> proofread sentences</span> and "adopt" () sentences that you think are good.
* If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
* Generally speaking, "owned" sentences are more likely to be error free, especially if owned by a native speaker (as requested, "[adopt any 'orphan' sentence you see in your native language, and correct it if necessary.](http://tatoeba.org/eng/activities/adopt_sentences/eng)")
* _I suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If it seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
4. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">correct mistakes</span> that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user.
* To do this, ...
* Adopt () the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
* Then click the text to edit it.
* Then, optionally, "unown" (<a></a>) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
* Special Note
* Tatoeba.org prefers that you DO NOT CHANGE any sentence that could be considered correct.
* Instead of changing correct sentences, you should add an alternate translation.
5. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add comments to sentences</span>.
* If you find a mistake, but it's "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
* If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment and someone may explain it to you.
* If you find things that are absolute nonsense or are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators that perhaps the item should be deleted.
6. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add new sentences</span>.
* The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
* Search with the sentence in quotes to find exact matches.
* LIKE THIS: "I have a dog."
* NOT: I have a dog. For more information, read the [FAQ](http://tatoeba.org/eng/faq).
## Register and Become a Member
* If you haven't already done so, after reading this page, [register](http://tatoeba.org/eng/users/register).
* I'd recommend creating a short and simple username. (Mine is CK.)
* It's also a good idea to you write your native language and the languages you translate from in your profile.
* You don't need to register, if you aren't planning to contribute. Just [go to the main page](http://tatoeba.org/eng/home) and start looking around.
## Warning! There are errors!
* Briefly,
1. Some sentences **sound unnatural** and are likely contributed by members who are overconfident in their abilities in their non-native langauges.
2. Some sentences use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language and perhaps aren't really suitable for people learning a foreign language.
3. Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
4. Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
5. For more details, read the [Warning About the Sentences from the Tatoeba Project](http://www.manythings.org/corpus/warningtatoeba.html).
## Recommendation
* To help maintain the quality of our sentences, I recommend that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language. I also recommend that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.
* To learn more about this, read the following page.
[Is it OK to submit sentences in my non-native language?](http://bit.ly/tatoebafaq#faq201)
_(Note: This is not the official policy of the Tatoeba Project. However, many people would agree with this.)_
version at: 25/03/2013, 16:32
#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
## The Aims of the Tatoeba Project
* Briefly, ...
* We are collecting sentences and their translations into other languages.
* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
## The 6 Basic Rules
You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.
1. We want complete sentences.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
2. Don't change sentences that are correct.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
- You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternate translations.
3. Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
4. We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
_Of course, we don't want computer translations._
5. Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
6. Don't add annotations.
* [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611377) [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
_In other words, don't do this kind of thing. X It's raining cats and dogs. (idiom) X I like her/him._ For more details, ...
* Read our blog entry on [how to be a good contributor](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html).
* Read our blog entry about [our submission policy](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/08/submission-policy-what-kind-of-content.html).
<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">translate a sentence</span> by clicking on this icon  whenever you see it.
* Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
2. You can add <span style="font-weight: bold;"> alternate translations</span>. ()
* If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all.
* Just make sure you are adding the translations to the other language. (In other words, don't add an English translation to an English sentence.)
3. You can<span style="font-weight: bold;"> proofread sentences</span> and "adopt" () sentences that you think are good.
* If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
* Generally speaking, "owned" sentences are more likely to be error free, especially if owned by a native speaker (as requested, "[adopt any 'orphan' sentence you see in your native language, and correct it if necessary.](http://tatoeba.org/eng/activities/adopt_sentences/eng)")
* _I suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If it seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
4. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">correct mistakes</span> that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user.
* To do this, ...
* Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
* Then click the text to edit it.
* Then, optionally, "unown" (<a></a>) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
* Special Note
* Tatoeba.org prefers that you DO NOT CHANGE any sentence that could be considered correct.
* Instead of changing correct sentences, you should add an alternate translation.
5. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add comments to sentences</span>.
* If you find a mistake, but it's "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
* If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment and someone may explain it to you.
* If you find things that are absolute nonsense or are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators that perhaps the item should be deleted.
6. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add new sentences</span>.
* The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
* Search with the sentence in quotes to find exact matches.
* LIKE THIS: "I have a dog."
* NOT: I have a dog. For more information, read the [FAQ](http://tatoeba.org/eng/faq).
## Register and Become a Member
* If you haven't already done so, after reading this page, [register](http://tatoeba.org/eng/users/register).
* It's also a good idea to you write your native language and the languages you translate from in your profile.
* You don't need to register, if you aren't planning to contribute. Just [go to the main page](http://tatoeba.org/eng/home) and start looking around.
## Warning! There are errors!
* Briefly,
1. Some sentences **sound unnatural** and are likely contributed by members who are overconfident in their abilities in their non-native langauges.
2. Some sentences use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language and perhaps aren't really suitable for people learning a foreign language.
3. Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
4. Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
5. For more details, read the [Warning About the Sentences from the Tatoeba Project](http://www.manythings.org/corpus/warningtatoeba.html).
## Recommendation
* To help maintain the quality of our sentences, I recommend that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language. I also recommend that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.
* To learn more about this, read the following page.
[Is it OK to submit sentences in my non-native language?](http://bit.ly/tatoebafaq#faq201)
_(Note: This is not the official policy of the Tatoeba Project. However, many people would agree with this.)_
[1]: http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434 "adopt"