Version at: 25/12/2019, 21:50 vs. version at: 08/01/2020, 23:21
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33
44## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
5* We collect high-quality sentences and their translations into other languages.
6* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
5* We collect sentences and their translations into other languages.
6* We continuously improve them to provide a high-quality corpus.
7* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under various Creative Commons licenses.
78
89
910## The Basic Rules
1011
1112 * **Write high-quality sentences.**
1213
1314[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)
1415
1516 * **Write complete sentences.**
1617
1718[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
1819
1920 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**
2021
2122[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
2223
2324(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)
2425
2526 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**
2627
2728[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
2829
2930 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**
3031
3132[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
3233
3334 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**
3435
3536[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
3637
3738Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html).
3839
3940 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**
4041
4142[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
4243> For instance, don't write:
4344
4445> _He/she said it was hot_.
4546
4647> Instead, you should submit two sentences.
4748
4849> _He said it was hot_.
4950
5051> _She said it was hot_.
5152
5253 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.**
5354
5455[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
5556
5657> For instance, don't write:
5758
5859> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_
5960
6061> Instead, write:
6162
6263> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._
6364
6465> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.
6566
6667For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).
6768
6869## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well
6970
7071* You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.
7172
7273* You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.
7374
7475* 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#).
7576
7677
7778<a name="users"></a>
7879## Things a Contributor Can Do
79801. You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
8081Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
8182
82832. You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
8384If 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.)
8485
85863. You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
8687If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
8788 * 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)")
8889 * _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
8990
90914. You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
9192 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
9293 * Then click the text to edit it.
9394 * Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
9495 * Special Note
9596 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.
9697
97985. You can **add comments to sentences**.
9899 * 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.
99100 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
100101 * If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.
101102
1021036. You can **add new sentences**.
103104The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
104105 * 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.
105106
106107
107108
108109## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
109110* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
110111* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
111112* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
112113
113114Note 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.
114115
115116If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.
116117
117118## Recommendations
118119
119120* When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
120121* If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visiting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [Lang-8](https://lang-8.com) (although new accounts can no longer be opened at Lang-8).
121122
122123
123124## Link to This Page
124125
125126There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.
126127
127128http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart
128129
129130
diff view generated by jsdifflib

Version at: 25/12/2019, 21:50

#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)      [[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)

 * **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 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).

 * **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

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

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

*  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

*   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 visiting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [Lang-8](https://lang-8.com) (although new accounts can no longer be opened at Lang-8).


## Link to This Page

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

http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart

version at: 08/01/2020, 23:21

#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors 


## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
*   We collect sentences and their translations into other languages.
*   We continuously improve them to provide a high-quality corpus.
*   Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under various Creative Commons licenses.


## 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)

 * **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 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).

 * **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

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

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

*  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

*   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 visiting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [Lang-8](https://lang-8.com) (although new accounts can no longer be opened at Lang-8).


## 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.