Version at: 08/01/2020, 23:21 vs. version at: 19/01/2020, 05:17
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33
44## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
55* We collect sentences and their translations into other languages.
66* We continuously improve them to provide a high-quality corpus.
77* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under various Creative Commons licenses.
88
99
1010## The Basic Rules
11
12 * **Write high-quality sentences.**
13
14[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)
1511
1612 * **Write complete sentences.**
1713
1814[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
1915
2016 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**
2117
2218[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
2319
2420(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)
2521
2622 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**
2723
2824[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
2925
3026 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**
3127
3228[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
3329
3430 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**
3531
3632[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
3733
3834Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html).
3935
4036 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**
4137
4238[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
4339> For instance, don't write:
4440
4541> _He/she said it was hot_.
4642
4743> Instead, you should submit two sentences.
4844
4945> _He said it was hot_.
5046
5147> _She said it was hot_.
5248
5349 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.**
5450
5551[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
5652
5753> For instance, don't write:
5854
5955> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_
6056
6157> Instead, write:
6258
6359> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._
6460
6561> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.
6662
6763For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).
64
65 * **Write high-quality sentences.**
66
67[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)
6868
6969## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well
7070
7171* You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.
7272
7373* You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.
7474
7575* 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#).
7676
7777
7878<a name="users"></a>
7979## Things a Contributor Can Do
80801. You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
8181Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
8282
83832. You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
8484If 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.)
8585
86863. You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
8787If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
8888 * 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)")
8989 * _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
9090
91914. You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
9292 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
9393 * Then click the text to edit it.
9494 * Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
9595 * Special Note
9696 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.
9797
98985. You can **add comments to sentences**.
9999 * 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.
100100 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
101101 * If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.
102102
1031036. You can **add new sentences**.
104104The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
105105 * 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.
106106
107107
108108
109109## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
110110* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
111111* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
112112* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
113113
114114Note 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.
115115
116116If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.
117117
118118## Recommendations
119119
120120* When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
121121* 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).
122122
123123
124124## Link to This Page
125125
126126There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.
127127
128128http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart
129129
130130
diff view generated by jsdifflib

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)      [[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: 19/01/2020, 05:17

#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 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).

 *  **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)

## 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.