Notice

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Guidelines and Rules

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.

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

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."

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.

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.

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 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.

Sentences should be written in the normal way that an educated native speaker would write them.

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.

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.