Version at: 21/12/2019, 17:08 vs. version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33
44## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
55* We collect high-quality sentences and their translations into other languages.
66* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
77
88
99## The Basic Rules
10
11 You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.
1210
1311 * **Write high-quality sentences.**
1412
1513[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)
1614
1715 * **Write complete sentences.**
1816
1917[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
2018
2119 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**
2220
2321[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
2422
2523 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**
2624
2725[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
2826
2927Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html)
3028
3129 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**
3230
3331[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
3432
3533(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)
3634
3735 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**
3836
3937[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
4038
4139 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**
4240
4341[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
4442> For instance, don't write:
4543
4644> _He/she said it was hot_.
4745
4846> Instead, you should submit two sentences.
4947
5048> _He said it was hot_.
5149
5250> _She said it was hot_.
5351
5452 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.**
5553
5654[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
5755
5856> For instance, don't write:
5957
6058> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_
6159
6260> Instead, write:
6361
6462> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._
6563
6664> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.
6765
6866For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).
6967
7068## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well
7169
72701. You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.
7371
74722. You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.
7573
76743. If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
7775
7876
7977<a name="users"></a>
8078## Things a Contributor Can Do
81791. You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
8280Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
8381
84822. You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
8583If 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.)
8684
87853. You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
8886If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
8987 * 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)")
9088 * _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
9189
92904. You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
9391 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
9492 * Then click the text to edit it.
9593 * Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
9694 * Special Note
9795 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.
9896
99975. You can **add comments to sentences**.
10098 * If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
10199 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
102100 * If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.
103101
1041026. You can **add new sentences**.
105103The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
106104 * Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.
107105
108106
109107
110108## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
111109* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
112110* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
113111* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
114112
115113Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.
116114
117115If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.
118116
119117## Recommendations
120118
121119* To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
122120* When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
123121* If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).
124122
125123
126124## Link to This Page
127125
128126There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.
129127
130128http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart
131129
132130
diff view generated by jsdifflib

Version at: 21/12/2019, 17:08

#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors 


## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
*   We collect high-quality 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 Basic Rules

 You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.

 *  **Write high-quality sentences.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)

 *  **Write 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)

 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)

 * **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) 

Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html)

 * **Write 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.)

 * **Write 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)

 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
> For instance, don't write:

> _He/she said it was hot_.

> Instead, you should submit two sentences.

>  _He said it was hot_.

>  _She said it was hot_.

 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.** 

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)

> For instance, don't write:
 
>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_

> Instead, write:

>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._ 

> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.

For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).

## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well

1.  You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.

2.  You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.

3.  If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).


<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
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 **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) 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)")
    *   _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._

4.  You can **correct mistakes** 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" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) 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, add an alternate translation.

5.  You can **add comments to sentences**.
    *   If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "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 that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.

6.  You can **add new sentences**.
The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
    *   Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.



## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.

Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.

If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.

## Recommendations

*   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
*   When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
*   If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).


## Link to This Page

There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.

http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart

version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20

#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors 


## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
*   We collect high-quality 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 Basic Rules

 *  **Write high-quality sentences.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)

 *  **Write 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)

 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**

[[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)

 * **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) 

Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html)

 * **Write 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.)

 * **Write 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)

 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
> For instance, don't write:

> _He/she said it was hot_.

> Instead, you should submit two sentences.

>  _He said it was hot_.

>  _She said it was hot_.

 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.** 

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)

> For instance, don't write:
 
>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_

> Instead, write:

>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._ 

> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.

For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).

## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well

1.  You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.

2.  You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.

3.  If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).


<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
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 **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) 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)")
    *   _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._

4.  You can **correct mistakes** 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" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) 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, add an alternate translation.

5.  You can **add comments to sentences**.
    *   If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "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 that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.

6.  You can **add new sentences**.
The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
    *   Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.



## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.

Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.

If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.

## Recommendations

*   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
*   When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
*   If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).


## Link to This Page

There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.

http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart

Note

The lines in green are the lines that have been added in the new version. The lines in red are those that have been removed.