Version at: 29/04/2013, 01:25

#Guidelines and Rules

## The Basic Rules Everybody Needs to Know

* We want complete sentences.
* Don't change sentences that are correct.
* Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
* We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
* Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
* Don't include annotations as part of sentences.


## Complete List of Guidelines Along with Explanations

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

### Don't change sentences that are correct.
 * Remember that even if a sentence sounds a bit unnatural for you, it may be correct in another dialect of your language, so don't make changes unless you are 100% sure it is wrong.
 * At this time, the Tatoeba Project seems to prefer to keep sentences using archaic language.

### Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
 * The Tatoeba Corpus is available under a license that doesn't allow this.

### We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
 * We don't want those 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.
* 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.

### 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.
   * (Female Speaker)
    * 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.

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

version at: 29/04/2013, 01:30

#Guidelines and Rules

## The Basic Rules Everybody Needs to Know Right Away

* We want complete sentences.
* Don't change sentences that are correct.
* Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
* We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
* Make a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.
* Don't include annotations as part of sentences.


## The Complete List of Guidelines with Explanations

TODO: Maybe number these and put NAME links (<a name="g1"></a>) so members can easily refer new members to a given rule.

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

### Don't change sentences that are correct.
 * Remember that even if a sentence sounds a bit unnatural for you, it may be correct in another dialect of your language, so don't make changes unless you are 100% sure it is wrong.
 * At this time, the Tatoeba Project seems to prefer to keep sentences using archaic language.

### Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.
 * The Tatoeba Corpus is available under a license that doesn't allow this.

### We want natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.
 * We don't want those 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.
* 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.

### 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.
   * (Female Speaker)
    * 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.

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

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