JustPaste.it

Immersion Community Guidelines

Content Correctness(ICC):

General

  1. Use natural translations over literal translations(von Ahn (2013) -http://www.duolingo.com/comment/924931). See point 3 for exception(s);
  2. Be consistent throughout the text, e.g. Goldilocks is Goldilocks from the beginning to the end of the text (not blondylocks or goldenhair);
  3. Try to provide a reference in the comment (e.g. link) to motivate your translation/edit; and
  4. Don't translate movie titles, book titles, or any art piece titles. Keep it like it is but between quotes (" ") and possibly add a (literal) translation between parenthesis. This rule doesn't apply if there is an official translated title, in which case use it. 

Grammar

  1. Try to use correct and consistent grammar throughout the text.

Spelling

  1. Use the same spelling of the word throughout the text (e.g. colour or color, not both).

Punctuation

  1. Follow the rules of the target language, consider the whole sentence before putting it. When in doubt avoid placing punctuations or rewrite the sentence to exclude them.

Regional Guidelines:

  1. For each document the first translator should indicate (in the title post) which variation of the language they intend to use (e.g. US English vs British English), and follow the formatting (Date, spelling, and so on) and rules of that system.

Writing Style

  1. An article should not be edited simply to switch from one valid use of the destination language to another;
  2. If the original sentence is (on purpose) clumsy, try to keep the clumsiness in your translation. If you don't keep it "clumsy", but someone edits your version, and adds the clumsiness, don't change it back to your original version;
  3. If the original sentence sounds a little old-fashioned (for example because the text was written some centuries ago), try to keep the translation "old-fashioned". If you don't but someone edits your version doing it (and explaining it), don't change it back to the "modern language";
  4. Don't translate proper names (and keep the accents when there are accents);

Verb Tense

  1. Try to use the original verb tense in the translated document if the translation is natural in the target language, if not follow General guideline 1;

Language Register

Target voice:

  • Try to use the original "Passive/active voice" in the translated document if the translation is natural in the target language, if not follow General guideline 1;

Names

  • In general, names are not translated, with few exceptions. This rule doesn't apply if there is an official translated name(e.g. Saints, important historical figures, characters from Tales, and so on), in which case use it (Goran12).

Immersion Conduct (IC): 

General

  1. Check all submitted comments (if there are any) before submitting your translation. Of course it is recommended to first try to translate it by yourself, then read the previous comments/translations, and submit your translation if it still seems better;
  2. Avoid arguments;
  3. Always leave a comment; and
  4. Refer users to this discussion(URL) or Duolingo's guidelines when there's an Edit-War(conflict). Add the guideline and the number. e.g. IR1/IG1(http://www.duolingo.com/comment/984423) = Immersion Rule/guideline 1.

Guidelines for "Looks wrong" button / Editing

  • Attempt to edit and correct the error rather than click "looks wrong", unless it is unavoidable.

Click "looks wrong" if there is:

  1. Spam - (alternatively, click report abuse, if certain of Spam);
  2. Completely wrong translation - The translation is completely wrong with no link to the original sentence (e.g.: 1 = "a monkey dances"); and
  3. Uncertainty of how to correct -You're certain the sentence is wrong (e.g. uses idiomatic English ), but are unsure of how to correct.

Do not click "looks wrong" if :

  1. There is a minor mistake - Punctuation, simple misspelling, and so on(rather edit the sentence);
  2. There is a conflict in translation (edit-war) - if there is an edit-war, it may escalate with downvotes, review existing comments, and proceed with caution ;
  3. To resolve arguments - the pen is mightier than the sword; and
  4. Incorrectly translated idiomatic sentence - try instead to search online for the idiom, and paste the link to the use.

Resolving/Avoiding conflicts in translations (Edit-Wars)

General:

  1. Approach (the whole situation) with caution (anomalocaris);
  2. Always provide comments or references for concepts not easy to understand; and
  3. Always be open to the idea that you might be wrong.

Resolving conflicts: 

  1. Refrain from making unnecessary edits (fueling the Edit-War);
  2. Review all comments;
  3. Research the topic thoroughly;
  4. Check the participants' tiers and take that information into account before you act;
  5. Up-vote the translation you find best after following the above steps ;
  6. If you're already involved,and there are few users(Edit-Warriors) , follow IRA1; and
  7. Provide an alternate translation only if you feel all existing translations are wrong (after following the above steps) , and always try to provide references(e.g. links).

Guidelines for submitting articles:

  1. Search online to make sure a translation does not already exist, if it does think twice before submitting or do not submit;
  2. Make sure articles are not copyrighted, if they are ask for permission from the authors;
  3. Wikipedia, and creative commons content is welcome, but see rule 1 when submitting; and
  4. Duolingo's filters prevent content of a sexual nature, so follow the guidelines when submitting.

Red ALERT (IRA) (When all else fails) 

  1. Try starting a constructive discussion by posting on their stream(wall) or start a thread, and politely explain your perspective; and/or
  2. Unsubscribe to the article;

Guidelines for specific articles

  • Follow specific rules for each language;
  • Recipes : 
    1.1. English- Keep it brief, omit any implied words, use imperative, and do not use spaces or pronouns in lists (jaye16); and 
    1.2. Other languages: Follow rules for the particular target language.

Wiki Guidelines (WG) 

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikipedia:_The_Missing_Manual/Collaborating_with_Other_Editors/Resolving_Content_Disputes#Avoiding_Content_Disputes; and 
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#National_varieties_of_Englis .

Other guidelines:

http://gengo.com/translators/resources/

Community Immersion Strict Rules: 

  1. Follow all Duolingo guidelines (http://www.duolingo.com/guidelines)

Explanation of guidelines: 

  • Strict : Guidelines that are enforceable by Duolingo. If a user violates strict guidelines the user is also violating Duolingo's guidelines.
  • Recommended : Guidelines that are not enforceable by Duolingo.