Content Translation tool

Improving Igbo Wikipedia through quality translations

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• Overview of the tool
• How to avoid common translation errors
• Known best practices for using the tool
• Effective use of the tool

Session Outline

Content Translation

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• Tool that allows editors to create Wikipedia articles by translating an existing article in one language (source language) to another (target language).

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• Provides a side-by-side view where source and target language are displayed together.

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• Automatic adaptation of links, categories, images, and text formatting

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• Integrates machine translation assistance in some languages with human editorial control

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This tool has become essential for Igbo Wikipedia's growth. It's designed to help, not replace human expertise.

Impact on Igbo Wikipedia

80%

of Igbo Wikipedia content created using this tool

Our Responsibility: With such widespread usage, we must use the tool appropriately to maximize its potential and maintain Wikipedia's quality standards.

Common mistakes in using the tool

Many users treat Machine translation support as the final product rather than a starting point.

What Should Happen:

• Review the initial machine-translated content thoroughly
• Ensure original meaning is preserved
• Make content read naturally in Igbo
• Adapt cultural context appropriately

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Common mistakes in using the tool

Red Flags:

• Articles published with minimal human review
• Awkward phrasing that doesn't flow in Igbo
• Cultural references that don't translate
• Technical terms not properly adapted

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Remember: Machine translation is a tool to speed up the process, not replace human judgment and linguistic expertise.

Machine Translation Limits:

• 95% Rule: Publication blocked if 95%+ of document is unmodified machine translation
• 85% Paragraph Rule: Paragraphs with >85% unmodified content flagged as problematic
• 60% Copy Rule: Direct copies with >60% unmodified content also flagged

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Built-in Quality Controls

Why These Limits Exist:

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• Prevent near-raw machine translations
• Stop clear vandalism attempts
• Encourage meaningful human review
• Maintain Wikipedia quality standards

Quality Checklist:

• Does the text read naturally in Igbo?
• Are references appropriately adapted?
• Are technical terms correctly translated?
• Do citations work properly?
• Are templates functioning correctly?

Missing templates…

Missing used templates in igwiki

• ✓ Review and Edit Thoroughly
• Always review translation and edit adequately to ensure natural flow in Igbo.

• ✓ Use Central Igbo
• Maintain consistency by always using Central Igbo in you translations

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• ✓ Address Warnings
• Watch for system warnings and resolve them before publishing.

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Best Practices for Individual Contributors

• ✓ Post-Publication Review
• Always visit published articles to check and fix any remaining issues.

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• ✓ Emphasize Quality Over Quantity
• Set rules that reward good translations, not just volume.

Best Practices for Campaign Organizers

Call to Action: We need more administrators to support these efforts consider this an opportunity for community growth!

Let's try to fix citation errors

Discussion Points:

• What other best practices do you know?
• How can we better support new translators?
• What tools could improve our review process?