Week16:Wikipedia Editing Experience and Learning--ZHANG XIAOTONG(장효동)

Summary

As part of this semester’s assignment, I participated in the Chinese-English translation of two Wikipedia articles. During the editing and publishing process, I communicated with Wikipedia administrators, received feedback, and revised the content accordingly. This experience was not only a valuable exercise in language skills, but also a hands-on introduction to participating in a global knowledge collaboration platform. Through researching sources, translating text, formatting, adhering to citation standards, and responding to administrators' comments, I gradually became familiar with Wikipedia’s core principles of neutrality, verifiability, and open collaboration. I also developed a deeper awareness of the responsibility behind writing for a public platform.

Interesting Points

Throughout the translation and editing process, I encountered many interesting challenges and new experiences.
Firstly, during language conversion, I realized that many terms or cultural concepts could not be directly translated. For example, certain expressions or background knowledge common in Chinese might be unfamiliar to English-speaking readers. This required me to consult a wide range of sources and adopt a clear and concise “translation-style” approach to convey the intended meaning accurately.
Secondly, after submitting my content, I received revision suggestions and feedback from Wikipedia administrators. Some pointed out issues with improper citation formatting, while others reminded me to maintain a neutral tone. Although it was a bit difficult to adjust at first, this kind of rule-based and fact-driven discussion helped me understand that Wikipedia is not a place where “anyone can write freely,” but rather a platform where “anyone can contribute — with standards.”
In addition, I found the “Talk Page” feature on Wikipedia quite interesting. By leaving messages and communicating with administrators or other editors, I learned how to express my views politely and rationally, and how to quickly revise my work based on feedback, allowing the article to improve over time.

Reflections

Through this project, I gained a new understanding of “translation”—it is not just a conversion of language, but a bridge between cultures, information, and context. Editing Wikipedia made me realize that writing is not a solitary process, but one that involves collaboration with people from around the world. On an open online platform, every edit requires a sense of responsibility toward the accuracy and fairness of the information.
Therefore, in the future, I will continue to participate in such projects with greater respect and caution, contributing to the shared knowledge ecosystem with a sense of care and responsibility.