Wikipedia Translation Guidelines for German Articles
Translating content from German Wikipedia to English is a valuable way to expand global knowledge. However, ensuring the quality and legality of these contributions requires a disciplined approach. Whether you are using advanced AI tools or manual translation, following established protocols ensures that the resulting English articles meet publication standards.
The Role of Machine Translation
Tools such as DeepL and Google Translate serve as efficient starting points for the translation process. While these services provide a baseline, they are not a replacement for human oversight. Translators are required to follow the LLM (Large Language Model) translation guideline to refine the output.
It is strictly prohibited to simply copy-paste machine-translated text into English Wikipedia. Translators must actively revise errors and confirm that the final English version is an accurate representation of the original source.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Quality Control and Categorization
Not all source material is suitable for translation. Editors should avoid translating text that appears unreliable or is of low quality. To maintain accuracy, it is recommended to verify the claims in the foreign-language article using the provided references.
Proper organization is also critical for discoverability. With 1,989 articles already existing in the main category, contributors are encouraged to specify a topic using the | topic = parameter to aid in precise categorization.
Legal and Attribution Requirements
Because Wikipedia content is licensed, proper copyright attribution is mandatory. This must be handled through the edit summary accompanying the translation.
A valid attribution requires an interlanguage link to the source article. For example, a model edit summary would state: "Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at [[:de:Geographisches Institut Weimar]]; see its history for attribution." Additionally, the {{Translated|de|Geographisches Institut Weimar}} template may be added to the article's talk page for further transparency.
Key Facts
- Machine translation (DeepL, Google Translate) must be revised and not copy-pasted.
- Translators must adhere to the LLM translation guidelines.
- Unreliable or low-quality source text should not be translated.
- Copyright attribution via interlanguage links in edit summaries is mandatory.
- The
| topic =parameter helps organize articles within the main category of 1,989 entries.
| Requirement | Action Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tool Usage | Revise machine output | Ensure accuracy |
| Verification | Check source references | Filter low-quality content |
| Attribution | Interlanguage link in summary | Copyright compliance |
| Categorization | Specify | topic = |
Improve organization |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Translate for Wikipedia articles?
Yes, but only as a starting point. You must revise the text for errors and follow the LLM translation guidelines rather than copy-pasting the output directly.
How do I handle copyright for translated content?
You must provide copyright attribution in your edit summary by including an interlanguage link to the original source article and its history.
What should I do if the source text seems unreliable?
You should not translate text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. Whenever possible, verify the information using the references listed in the original foreign-language article.
Why is the "topic" parameter important for categorization?
Because the main category already contains 1,989 articles, specifying a topic helps the system and users categorize the new article more effectively.
Where can I find more detailed guidance on this process?
Further instructions and comprehensive guidance can be found at Wikipedia:Translation.