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Article published In:
Translation Spaces
Vol. 11:2 (2022) ► pp.254–276

Assessing the impact of translation guidelines in Wikipedia

A praxeological approach to the study of documented standards across four language communities

ORCID logo | University of Manchester
Wikipedia is a multilingual, user-driven online encyclopaedia available in 325 languages and language varieties. Such linguistic diversity has drawn the attention of translation scholars over the past decade. Previous research has addressed, among other issues, the quality of translated Wikipedia entries, the motivations driving editors-translators, and the taxing negotiations behind editorial changes. Nevertheless, the processes underpinning translation practices in the encyclopaedia have often been overlooked. Consequently, this paper adopts a praxeological approach to translation by analysing documented standards across four Wikipedia language communities and the extent to which 16 experienced translators have assimilated them. The findings suggest that Wikipedia guidelines on translation have slight but tangible differences across the communities under investigation. Moreover, the interview data showed a tendency among participants to attach more importance to cross-wiki editing policies than to any local translation guidelines. This preference ultimately reinforces previous claims that translation and editing in Wikipedia form a continuum.
Keywords: Wikipedia, practice theory, communities of practice, translation guidelines, translation practices, volunteer translation
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Wikipedia translation as a collaborative process
  • Wikipedia as a community of practice
  • Methodology and datasets
  • Wikipedia translation guidelines and essays
  • Incorporation of the translation guidelines
  • Conclusion and suggestions for further research
  • Data access statement
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 24 February 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.21028.gon
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