Wikipedia Translation Guidelines for Spanish Articles
Translating content from Spanish to English Wikipedia is a valuable way to expand global knowledge. However, ensuring the accuracy 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 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 substitutes 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. Every translation must be revised to correct errors and verified for absolute accuracy to maintain the encyclopedia's integrity.
[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 ensure the validity of the information, it is recommended to verify the claims using the references provided within the original foreign-language article.
Proper organization is also essential for discoverability. With over 1,052 articles already existing in the main category, contributors are encouraged to specify a topic using the | topic = parameter in the template to aid in precise categorization.
Legal Requirements and Attribution
Because Wikipedia content is licensed, providing proper copyright attribution is mandatory. This must be done within the edit summary of the translation. The attribution should include an interlanguage link to the source article.
For example, a model edit summary would state: "Content in this edit is translated from the existing Spanish Wikipedia article at [[:es:Tal Cual (Venezuela)]]; see its history for attribution." Additionally, editors may add the {{Translated|es|Tal Cual (Venezuela)}} template 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 the edit summary is required.
- The
| topic =parameter helps categorize articles within the main category of 1,052+ entries.
| Requirement | Action Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tool Usage | Revise machine-translated text | Ensure accuracy and flow |
| Verification | Check foreign-language references | Filter out low-quality content |
| Attribution | Add interlanguage link to edit summary | Legal copyright compliance |
| Categorization | Specify the | topic = parameter |
Improve article 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 ensure it follows the LLM translation guidelines rather than copy-pasting the raw output.
How do I handle copyright for translated content?
You must provide attribution in the edit summary by including an interlanguage link to the original source article and its history.
What should I do if the Spanish source text seems unreliable?
You should not translate text that appears to be low-quality or unreliable. Attempt to verify the information using the references cited in the original article.
Why is the "topic" parameter important in the template?
Because the main category already contains 1,052 articles, specifying a topic helps the system categorize the new article more accurately.
Where can I find more detailed guidance on this process?
Further instructions and comprehensive guidance can be found at Wikipedia:Translation.