Version at: 23/05/2013, 08:35 vs. version at: 23/05/2013, 08:36
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33
44
55## The Aims of the Tatoeba Project
66 * Briefly, ...
77 * We are collecting sentences and their translations into other languages.
88 * Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
99
1010
1111
1212## The 6 Basic Rules
1313
1414 You can click the links to read **[Translations]** or read the **[Source]** documentation.
1515
16161. We want complete sentences.
1717 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
1818
19192. Don't change sentences that are correct.
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
22223. Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
2323 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
2424
25254. We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
2626 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
2727 * Of course, we don't want computer translations.
2828
29295. Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
3030 * [[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
3131
32326. Don't include annotations as part of sentences.
3333 * Don't include things like the following inside your sentences.
3434 * He/she (He/she said go home.)
3535 * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
3636 * He said go home.
3737 * She said go home.
3838 * (By Mark Twain)
3939 * Instead, put this as a comment and ask for someone to add it as a tag.
4040 * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.
4141
4242For more details, see the [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) page.
4343
4444
4545
4646<a name="users"></a>
4747## Things a Contributor Can Do
48481. You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png) whenever you see it.
4949 * Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
50502. You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://flags.tatoeba.org/img/translate.png))
5151 * If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all.
5252 * 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.)
53533. You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopt.png?1271500434)) sentences that you think are good.
5454 * If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
5555 * 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)")
5656 * _I suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If it seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
57574. You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user.
5858 * To do this, ...
5959 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
6060 * Then click the text to edit it.
6161 * 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.
6262 * Special Note
6363 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you DO NOT CHANGE any sentence that could be considered correct.
6464 * Instead of changing correct sentences, you should add an alternate translation.
65655. You can **add comments to sentences**.
6666 * If you find a mistake, but it's "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
6767 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment and someone may explain it to you.
6868 * 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.
69696. You can **add new sentences**.
7070 * The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
7171 * Search with the sentence in quotes to find exact matches.
7272 * LIKE THIS: "I have a dog."
7373 * NOT: I have a dog. For more information, read the [FAQ](http://tatoeba.org/eng/faq).
7474
7575
7676
7777## Warning! There are errors!
78* Briefly,
79 1. Some sentences **sound unnatural** and are likely contributed by members who are overconfident in their abilities in their non-native langauges.
80 2. Some sentences use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language and perhaps aren't really suitable for people learning a foreign language.
81 3. Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
82 4. Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
78
79Briefly,
80 1. Some sentences **sound unnatural** and are likely contributed by members who are overconfident in their abilities in their non-native langauges.
81 2. Some sentences use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language and perhaps aren't really suitable for people learning a foreign language.
82 3. Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
83 4. Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
8384
8485
8586
8687## Recommendation
87* To help maintain the quality of our sentences, It is recommended that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language.
88* It is also recommended that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.
88
89 * To help maintain the quality of our sentences, It is recommended that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language.
90 * It is also recommended that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.
diff view generated by jsdifflib

Version at: 23/05/2013, 08:35

#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)

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 include annotations as part of sentences.
    * Don't include things like the following inside your sentences.
       * He/she  (He/she said go home.)
         * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
            * He said go home.
            * She said go home.
       * (By Mark Twain)
           * Instead, put this as a comment and ask for someone to add it as a tag.
           * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.

For more details, see the [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) page.



<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** 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 **alternate translations**. (![](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 **proofread sentences** 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 **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" (<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 **add comments to sentences**.
    *   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 **add new sentences**.
    *   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).



## 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**.



## Recommendation
*   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, It is recommended that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language.
*   It is also recommended that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.

version at: 23/05/2013, 08:36

#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)

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 include annotations as part of sentences.
    * Don't include things like the following inside your sentences.
       * He/she  (He/she said go home.)
         * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
            * He said go home.
            * She said go home.
       * (By Mark Twain)
           * Instead, put this as a comment and ask for someone to add it as a tag.
           * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.

For more details, see the [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) page.



<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** 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 **alternate translations**. (![](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 **proofread sentences** 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 **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" (<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 **add comments to sentences**.
    *   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 **add new sentences**.
    *   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).



## 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**.



## Recommendation

 *   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, It is recommended that you only translate from a non-native language into your native language.
 *   It is also recommended that you should be careful to only translate from sentences "owned" by native speakers. This helps to avoid problems.

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.