Version at: 04/05/2013, 01:02

#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 to you, it may be correct in another dialect of your 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.
 * 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.
   * (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.

### 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.

## Hints and Suggestions

### When contributing new sentences that are not translations of other sentences, search first to help avoid submitting duplicates.

* Some duplicates are created naturally as you add translations to sentences.  Our duplicate-merging script will eventually take care of these.
* However, if you are contributing a new sentence that is not a translation and that sentence is a duplicate, you waste other members' time, because they will unnecessarily translate a duplicate that has likely already been translated.




## Suggested New Guidelines - Not Yet Official

### Don't submit strange sentences and translations
 * For example, don't translate a person's name, such as Dick, into the word "Haystack."
  * FRENCH: Dick essaya en vain de résoudre le problème.
   * [tatoeba.org/969450](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/969450)
  * ENGLISH: Haystack tried in vain to solve the problem.

version at: 04/05/2013, 01:08

#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 to you, it may be correct in another dialect of your 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.
 * 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.
   * (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.

### 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.

### Behave like mature adults.

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

## Hints and Suggestions

### When contributing new sentences that are not translations of other sentences, search first to help avoid submitting duplicates.

* Some duplicates are created naturally as you add translations to sentences.  Our duplicate-merging script will eventually take care of these.
* However, if you are contributing a new sentence that is not a translation and that sentence is a duplicate, you waste other members' time, because they will unnecessarily translate a duplicate that has likely already been translated.




## Suggested New Guidelines - Not Yet Official

### Don't submit strange sentences and translations
 * For example, don't translate a person's name, such as Dick, into the word "Haystack."
  * FRENCH: Dick essaya en vain de résoudre le problème.
   * [tatoeba.org/969450](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/969450)
  * ENGLISH: Haystack tried in vain to solve the problem.

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