Version at: 25/03/2013, 16:32 vs. version at: 25/03/2013, 16:39
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33## The Aims of the Tatoeba Project
44
55* Briefly, ...
66
77 * We are collecting sentences and their translations into other languages.
88
99 * Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
1010
1111## The 6 Basic Rules
1212 You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.
1313
14141. We want complete sentences.
1515
1616 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
1717
18182. Don't change sentences that are correct.
1919
2020 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
2121 - You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternate translations.
2222
23233. Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
2424
2525 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
2626
27274. We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
2828
2929 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
3030 _Of course, we don't want computer translations._
3131
32325. Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
3333
3434 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
3535
36366. Don't add annotations.
3737
3838 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611377)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
39 _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, ...
39
40 _In other words, don't do this kind of thing.
41
42 X It's raining cats and dogs. (idiom)
43
44 X I like her/him._
45
46For more details, ...
4047
4148* 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).
4249
4350* Read our blog entry about [our submission policy](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/08/submission-policy-what-kind-of-content.html).
4451<a name="users"></a>
4552
4653## Things a Contributor Can Do
4754
48551. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">translate a sentence</span> by clicking on this icon ![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png) whenever you see it.
4956 * Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
5057
51582. You can add <span style="font-weight: bold;"> alternate translations</span>. (![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png))
5259
5360 * If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all.
5461 * 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.)
5562
56633. You can<span style="font-weight: bold;"> proofread sentences</span> and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434)) sentences that you think are good.
5764
5865 * If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
5966
6067 * 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)")
6168
6269 * _I suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If it seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
6370
64714. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">correct mistakes</span> that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user.
6572
6673 * To do this, ...
6774
6875 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
6976
7077 * Then click the text to edit it.
7178
7279 * Then, optionally, "unown" (<a>![Let go](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/let_go.png "Let go")</a>) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
7380
7481 * Special Note
7582
7683 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you DO NOT CHANGE any sentence that could be considered correct.
7784
7885 * Instead of changing correct sentences, you should add an alternate translation.
7986
80875. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add comments to sentences</span>.
8188
8289 * If you find a mistake, but it's "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
8390
8491 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment and someone may explain it to you.
8592
8693 * 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.
8794
88956. You can <span style="font-weight: bold;">add new sentences</span>.
8996
9097 * The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
9198
9299 * Search with the sentence in quotes to find exact matches.
93100
94101 * LIKE THIS: "I have a dog."
95102
96103 * NOT:  I have a dog. For more information, read the [FAQ](http://tatoeba.org/eng/faq).
97104
98105## Register and Become a Member
99106
100107* If you haven't already done so, after reading this page, [register](http://tatoeba.org/eng/users/register).
101108
102109* It's also a good idea to you write your native language and the languages you translate from in your profile.
103110
104111* 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.
105112
106113## Warning! There are errors!
107114
108115* Briefly,
109116
110117 1. Some sentences **sound unnatural** and are likely contributed by members who are overconfident in their abilities in their non-native langauges.
111118
112119 2. Some sentences use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language and perhaps aren't really suitable for people learning a foreign language.
113120
114121 3. Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
115122
116123 4. Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
117124
118125 5. For more details, read the [Warning About the Sentences from the Tatoeba Project](http://www.manythings.org/corpus/warningtatoeba.html).
119126
120127## Recommendation
121128
122129* 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.
123130
124131* To learn more about this, read the following page.
125132[Is it OK to submit sentences in my non-native language?](http://bit.ly/tatoebafaq#faq201)
126133_(Note: This is not the official policy of the Tatoeba Project. However, many people would agree with this.)_
127134
128135
129136 [1]: http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434 "adopt"
diff view generated by jsdifflib

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 ![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png) whenever you see it.
    *   Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add <span style="font-weight: bold;"> alternate translations</span>. (![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png))

    *   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" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434)) 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>![Let go](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/let_go.png "Let go")</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:&nbsp; 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"

version at: 25/03/2013, 16:39

#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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[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) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[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 ![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png) whenever you see it.
    *   Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add <span style="font-weight: bold;"> alternate translations</span>. (![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png))

    *   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" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434)) 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>![Let go](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/let_go.png "Let go")</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:&nbsp; 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"

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