Version at: 30/09/2015, 21:27 vs. version at: 13/11/2015, 08:56
11#Guidelines and Rules
2
3Go back to <a href="http://tatoeba.org/">tatoeba.org</a>.
24
35## The Rules
46* [We want complete sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-complete-sentences.)
57* [Do not change sentences that are correct.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-change-sentences-that-are-correct.)
68* [Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-add-sentences-from-copyrighted-sources.)
79* [We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-natural-sounding-translations,-not-word-fo
810)
911* [Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Do not let translations into other languages influence you.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#make-a-good-translation-of-the-sentence-that-you-a)
1012* [Do not include annotations as part of sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-include-annotations-as-part-of-sentences.)
1113* [Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-forget-capitalization-and-punctuation.)
1214* [Do not leave out diacritical marks ("accents") if your language requires them.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-leave-out-diacritical-marks-if-your-languag)
1315* [Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-transliterate.-write-in-the-native-script-f)
1416* [Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-adopt-"orphan"-sentences-in-your-own-native-l)
1517* [Only write sentences in recognized languages.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-write-sentences-in-recognized-languages.)
1618* [Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#respond-within-two-weeks-to-comments-requesting-ac)
1719* [Behave like mature adults.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#behave-like-mature-adults.)
1820* [Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-will-antagonize-contr)
1921* [Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-refer-to-tatoeba-contr)
2022* [Do not intentionally add bad sentences in order to make a point.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-intentionally-add-bad-sentences-in-order-to)
2123
2224## The Rules with Explanations
2325
2426### We want complete sentences.
2527 * We don't want just words or phrases.
2628 * Phrases used as complete utterances in everyday conversation are OK if included in a dialog, showing their use in context.
2729 * Example: *"When did Tom arrive?" "Just before Mary did."*
2830
2931### Do not change sentences that are correct.
3032 * Remember that even if a sentence sounds a bit unnatural to you, it may be correct in another dialect of your language, or in an older version of the language, so don't make changes unless you are 100% sure it is wrong.
3133 * In such a case, go to one of the linked sentences in a language you understand and contribute an alternate translation.
3234
3335### Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.
3436 * The license for the Tatoeba Corpus doesn't allow adding sentences from copyrighted sources.
3537
3638### We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
3739 * We don't want the awkward, unnatural-sounding translations seen in textbooks to help students understand how another language is constructed.
3840 * We want sentences that a native speaker would actually use.
3941 * Remember that others will be using the translation that you make into your own language to study your language.
4042
4143### Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
4244 * Your translation should be a good translation into your language and doesn't need to include all the nuances as translated by others into other languages.
4345
4446### Do not include annotations as part of sentences.
4547 * Don't include phrases like the following inside your sentences.
4648 * *He/she* as in *He/she said it was hot.*
4749 * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
4850 * *He said it was hot.*
4951 * *She said it was hot.*
5052 * *(female speaker)* as in *She said it was hot. (female speaker)*
5153 * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *female speaker* as a tag.
5254 * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.
5355 * *(by Mark Twain)* as in *If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. (by Mark Twain)*
5456 * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *by Mark Twain* as a tag.
5557 * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.
5658
5759### Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.
5860 * Sentences should be written in the normal way that an educated native speaker would write them.
5961
6062### Do not leave out diacritical marks if your language requires them.
6163 * For instance, if you're writing in Spanish, write *razón* rather than *razon*.
6264
6365### Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.
6466 * For instance, if you're writing in Hindi, don't use Latin ("English") characters. Either set your computer's keyboard to Hindi or use a tool (such as [Google's](http://www.google.com/intl/hi/inputtools/try/) that converts from transliterated characters into Hindi.
6567
6668### Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.
6769 * Adopting is a way to give your "stamp of approval."
6870 * A "stamp of approval" by a native speaker means more, so that's why we have this guideline.
6971
7072### Only write sentences in recognized languages.
7173 * You can always write sentences in languages that are already supported by Tatoeba.
7274 * You can request a new language, provided that it has an ISO 639-3 (three-letter) code. See the details under [How to Request a New Language](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/new-language-request).
7375
7476### Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.
7577 * If someone requests that you take action on one of your sentences (for instance, add a missing period), within two weeks you should either make the change or leave a comment explaining why you don't feel the change is necessary.
7678 * If you do not respond within two weeks, a corpus maintainer has the right to modify or delete your sentence.
7779
7880### Behave like mature adults.
7981
8082* Collaborative projects such as ours work best when people cooperate and get along with each other.
8183* Read details: [Rules Against Bad Behavior](rules-against-bad-behavior)
8284
8385### Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.
8486
8587Sentences in this category include but are not limited to those that:
8688
8789* insult others due to their gender, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other membership in a group
8890
8991* attack other Tatoeba contributors for whatever reason, such as a difference of opinion over what constitutes a legal sentence; such matters should be discussed elsewhere
9092
9193* insult languages or countries
9294
9395### Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.
9496
9597This includes positive and neutral statements as well as negative ones. The idea is that people should be able to contribute to Tatoeba without surrendering their privacy, and readers should be able to understand sentences without insider information.
9698
9799### Do not intentionally add bad or confusing sentences in order to make a point.
98100 * For example:
99101 *Unexpectedly saw the train first.*
100102
101103One could argue that this is a legal sentence if "Unexpectedly" is considered the name of a person. But in fact, this is not a likely name, and the sentence will probably confuse and mislead readers, especially if they are non-native.
102104
103105
104106## Short Link to this Page
105107
106108http://bit.ly/tatoebaguidelines
107109
108110Regular members can use this link to direct new members to this page.
109111
110112
111113
112114---
113115
114116Return to [http://tatoeba.org/home](http://tatoeba.org/home).
115117
diff view generated by jsdifflib

Version at: 30/09/2015, 21:27

#Guidelines and Rules

## The Rules
* [We want complete sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-complete-sentences.)
* [Do not change sentences that are correct.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-change-sentences-that-are-correct.)
* [Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-add-sentences-from-copyrighted-sources.)
* [We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-natural-sounding-translations,-not-word-fo
)
* [Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Do not let translations into other languages influence you.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#make-a-good-translation-of-the-sentence-that-you-a)
* [Do not include annotations as part of sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-include-annotations-as-part-of-sentences.)
* [Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-forget-capitalization-and-punctuation.)
* [Do not leave out diacritical marks ("accents") if your language requires them.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-leave-out-diacritical-marks-if-your-languag)
* [Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-transliterate.-write-in-the-native-script-f) 
* [Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-adopt-"orphan"-sentences-in-your-own-native-l)
* [Only write sentences in recognized languages.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-write-sentences-in-recognized-languages.)
* [Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#respond-within-two-weeks-to-comments-requesting-ac)
* [Behave like mature adults.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#behave-like-mature-adults.) 
* [Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-will-antagonize-contr)
* [Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-refer-to-tatoeba-contr)
* [Do not intentionally add bad sentences in order to make a point.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-intentionally-add-bad-sentences-in-order-to)

## The Rules with Explanations

### We want complete sentences.
 * We don't want just words or phrases.
 * Phrases used as complete utterances in everyday conversation are OK if included in a dialog, showing their use in context.
  * Example: *"When did Tom arrive?" "Just before Mary did."*

### Do not change sentences that are correct.
 * Remember that even if a sentence sounds a bit unnatural to you, it may be correct in another dialect of your language, or in an older version of the language, so don't make changes unless you are 100% sure it is wrong.
 * In such a case, go to one of the linked sentences in a language you understand and contribute an alternate translation.

### Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.
 * The license for the Tatoeba Corpus doesn't allow adding sentences from copyrighted sources.

### We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
 * We don't want the awkward, unnatural-sounding translations seen in textbooks to help students understand how another language is constructed.
 * We want sentences that a native speaker would actually use.
 * Remember that others will be using the translation that you make into your own language to study your language.

### Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
 * Your translation should be a good translation into your language and doesn't need to include all the nuances as translated by others into other languages.

### Do not include annotations as part of sentences.
 * Don't include phrases like the following inside your sentences.
   * *He/she* as in *He/she said it was hot.*
      * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
          * *He said it was hot.*
          * *She said it was hot.*
   * *(female speaker)* as in *She said it was hot. (female speaker)*
      * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *female speaker* as a tag.
      * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.
   * *(by Mark Twain)* as in *If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. (by Mark Twain)*
      * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *by Mark Twain* as a tag.
      * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.

### Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.
 * Sentences should be written in the normal way that an educated native speaker would write them.

### Do not leave out diacritical marks if your language requires them.
 * For instance, if you're writing in Spanish, write *razón* rather than *razon*.

### Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.
 * For instance, if you're writing in Hindi, don't use Latin ("English") characters. Either set your computer's keyboard to Hindi or use a tool (such as [Google's](http://www.google.com/intl/hi/inputtools/try/) that converts from transliterated characters into Hindi.

### Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.
 * Adopting is a way to give your "stamp of approval."
 * A "stamp of approval" by a native speaker means more, so that's why we have this guideline.

### Only write sentences in recognized languages.
 * You can always write sentences in languages that are already supported by Tatoeba.
 * You can request a new language, provided that it has an ISO 639-3 (three-letter) code. See the details under [How to Request a New Language](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/new-language-request).

### Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.
 * If someone requests that you take action on one of your sentences (for instance, add a missing period), within two weeks you should either make the change or leave a comment explaining why you don't feel the change is necessary.
 * If you do not respond within two weeks, a corpus maintainer has the right to modify or delete your sentence.

### Behave like mature adults.

* Collaborative projects such as ours work best when people cooperate and get along with each other.
* Read details: [Rules Against Bad Behavior](rules-against-bad-behavior)

### Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.

Sentences in this category include but are not limited to those that:

* insult others due to their gender, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other membership in a group 

* attack other Tatoeba contributors for whatever reason, such as a difference of opinion over what constitutes a legal sentence; such matters should be discussed elsewhere

* insult languages or countries

### Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.

This includes positive and neutral statements as well as negative ones. The idea is that people should be able to contribute to Tatoeba without surrendering their privacy, and readers should be able to understand sentences without insider information.

### Do not intentionally add bad or confusing sentences in order to make a point.
 * For example:
   *Unexpectedly saw the train first.*

One could argue that this is a legal sentence if "Unexpectedly" is considered the name of a person. But in fact, this is not a likely name, and the sentence will probably confuse and mislead readers, especially if they are non-native.


## Short Link to this Page

http://bit.ly/tatoebaguidelines

Regular members can use this link to direct new members to this page.



---

Return to [http://tatoeba.org/home](http://tatoeba.org/home).

version at: 13/11/2015, 08:56

#Guidelines and Rules

Go back to <a href="http://tatoeba.org/">tatoeba.org</a>.

## The Rules
* [We want complete sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-complete-sentences.)
* [Do not change sentences that are correct.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-change-sentences-that-are-correct.)
* [Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-add-sentences-from-copyrighted-sources.)
* [We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#we-want-natural-sounding-translations,-not-word-fo
)
* [Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Do not let translations into other languages influence you.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#make-a-good-translation-of-the-sentence-that-you-a)
* [Do not include annotations as part of sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-include-annotations-as-part-of-sentences.)
* [Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-forget-capitalization-and-punctuation.)
* [Do not leave out diacritical marks ("accents") if your language requires them.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-leave-out-diacritical-marks-if-your-languag)
* [Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-transliterate.-write-in-the-native-script-f) 
* [Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-adopt-"orphan"-sentences-in-your-own-native-l)
* [Only write sentences in recognized languages.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#only-write-sentences-in-recognized-languages.)
* [Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#respond-within-two-weeks-to-comments-requesting-ac)
* [Behave like mature adults.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#behave-like-mature-adults.) 
* [Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-will-antagonize-contr)
* [Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-submit-sentences-that-refer-to-tatoeba-contr)
* [Do not intentionally add bad sentences in order to make a point.](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/guidelines#do-not-intentionally-add-bad-sentences-in-order-to)

## The Rules with Explanations

### We want complete sentences.
 * We don't want just words or phrases.
 * Phrases used as complete utterances in everyday conversation are OK if included in a dialog, showing their use in context.
  * Example: *"When did Tom arrive?" "Just before Mary did."*

### Do not change sentences that are correct.
 * Remember that even if a sentence sounds a bit unnatural to you, it may be correct in another dialect of your language, or in an older version of the language, so don't make changes unless you are 100% sure it is wrong.
 * In such a case, go to one of the linked sentences in a language you understand and contribute an alternate translation.

### Do not add sentences from copyrighted sources.
 * The license for the Tatoeba Corpus doesn't allow adding sentences from copyrighted sources.

### We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
 * We don't want the awkward, unnatural-sounding translations seen in textbooks to help students understand how another language is constructed.
 * We want sentences that a native speaker would actually use.
 * Remember that others will be using the translation that you make into your own language to study your language.

### Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
 * Your translation should be a good translation into your language and doesn't need to include all the nuances as translated by others into other languages.

### Do not include annotations as part of sentences.
 * Don't include phrases like the following inside your sentences.
   * *He/she* as in *He/she said it was hot.*
      * Instead, you should submit 2 sentences.
          * *He said it was hot.*
          * *She said it was hot.*
   * *(female speaker)* as in *She said it was hot. (female speaker)*
      * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *female speaker* as a tag.
      * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.
   * *(by Mark Twain)* as in *If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. (by Mark Twain)*
      * Instead, write a comment asking for someone to add *by Mark Twain* as a tag.
      * If you have tagging rights, then tag it yourself.

### Do not forget capitalization and punctuation.
 * Sentences should be written in the normal way that an educated native speaker would write them.

### Do not leave out diacritical marks if your language requires them.
 * For instance, if you're writing in Spanish, write *razón* rather than *razon*.

### Do not transliterate. Write in the native script for the language.
 * For instance, if you're writing in Hindi, don't use Latin ("English") characters. Either set your computer's keyboard to Hindi or use a tool (such as [Google's](http://www.google.com/intl/hi/inputtools/try/) that converts from transliterated characters into Hindi.

### Only adopt "orphan" sentences in your own native language.
 * Adopting is a way to give your "stamp of approval."
 * A "stamp of approval" by a native speaker means more, so that's why we have this guideline.

### Only write sentences in recognized languages.
 * You can always write sentences in languages that are already supported by Tatoeba.
 * You can request a new language, provided that it has an ISO 639-3 (three-letter) code. See the details under [How to Request a New Language](http://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/new-language-request).

### Respond within two weeks to comments requesting action on your sentences.
 * If someone requests that you take action on one of your sentences (for instance, add a missing period), within two weeks you should either make the change or leave a comment explaining why you don't feel the change is necessary.
 * If you do not respond within two weeks, a corpus maintainer has the right to modify or delete your sentence.

### Behave like mature adults.

* Collaborative projects such as ours work best when people cooperate and get along with each other.
* Read details: [Rules Against Bad Behavior](rules-against-bad-behavior)

### Do not submit sentences that will antagonize contributors or readers.

Sentences in this category include but are not limited to those that:

* insult others due to their gender, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other membership in a group 

* attack other Tatoeba contributors for whatever reason, such as a difference of opinion over what constitutes a legal sentence; such matters should be discussed elsewhere

* insult languages or countries

### Do not submit sentences that refer to Tatoeba contributors or other real people who are not public figures.

This includes positive and neutral statements as well as negative ones. The idea is that people should be able to contribute to Tatoeba without surrendering their privacy, and readers should be able to understand sentences without insider information.

### Do not intentionally add bad or confusing sentences in order to make a point.
 * For example:
   *Unexpectedly saw the train first.*

One could argue that this is a legal sentence if "Unexpectedly" is considered the name of a person. But in fact, this is not a likely name, and the sentence will probably confuse and mislead readers, especially if they are non-native.


## Short Link to this Page

http://bit.ly/tatoebaguidelines

Regular members can use this link to direct new members to this page.



---

Return to [http://tatoeba.org/home](http://tatoeba.org/home).

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.