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.

version at: 29/04/2013, 01:32

#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.

### 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.

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.