How community translation works

Every site is translated by the people who read it. Trust is earned by accepted work, not given or bought.

The four steps

1. ContributorAny member with a verified account can suggest a wording and vote.
2. Trusted translatorAfter 25 accepted suggestions, at least 80% of the ones decided, over at least 30 days. Trusted translators vote with more weight, can mark text as needing editing and can propose glossary terms.
3. Language reviewerAfter 150 accepted suggestions, at least 90% decided, over at least 90 days, with 3 endorsements from reviewers; or by election. Reviewers approve, decline, merge and settle discussions.
4. Language councilOnce a language has three reviewers, they form its council. It sets the style, settles disputes that reviewers cannot and decides terms shared between languages.

How a vote counts

A vote counts a little more when the voter has a record of accepted work on this kind of text and in this region. No vote counts for less than a quarter or for more than five. A new account counts nothing for two days. A group of accounts that always vote together counts once.

A suggestion becomes the translation when enough agreement is reached, at least one person who knows the subject has voted for it, every check on the text passes and nobody has opened a discussion. Terms in the glossary need more agreement and two such people.

What a vote never decides

Text about people, legal wording and safety text are always decided by a reviewer. Nothing in this service shows who suggested or voted. Counts under five read "a few".

If something is wrong

Anyone can report a suggestion; after three reports it is hidden until a reviewer looks at it. A trusted translator can open a discussion: reviewers have seven days, then the language council, and only if they cannot agree after fourteen days does an administrator step in.