Week10---Wikipedia editor-----CHEN SIYU진사우

 Summary:

We know that Wikipedia has over 300 language versions, with significant content differences between them. Many entries for minor languages primarily rely on translations into English or other mainstream languages. However, the translation process is not a direct copy; it requires considering cultural differences, localization needs, and editorial norms for the target language. Moreover, while automatic translation tools like Content Translation enhance efficiency, they often require manual polishing to ensure accuracy and readability.

Interesting points:

Although Wikipedia emphasizes "neutrality," translations inevitably incorporate editors' choices and judgments. For example, certain terms or historical events have distinct sensitivities or interpretations across different languages and cultures. Translators often need to "rewrite" the content rather than simply translate it verbatim, which can lead to different narratives for the same entry in different languages. For example, there are significant differences in how the Chinese-English Wikipedia describes the "June 4th Incident" or the "Ukrainian Crisis."



Discussion:

I believe that Wikipedia encourages open cooperation, but the primary language of translation is English, leading to a trend towards knowledge dissemination centered on English. Weak languages often rely on information input from the dominant language, thereby limiting their content autonomy. Furthermore, translators themselves possess implicit "agenda-setting" power to determine which entries are worth translating and how they are translated, thereby influencing the presentation of global knowledge. Therefore, enhancing the proactive creativity of non-English-speaking communities is more beneficial for achieving knowledge equity on Wikipedia than relying solely on translation.


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