Should we discourage automated translation of MetaBrainz websites?

Internationalization
1

Continuing the discussion from Weblate and Ukrainian language:

Do we want to officially discourage automated translations?
Me, yes, but MetaBrainz?

There is nothing about it in our current Internationalisation documentation.

Today, I have noticed that https://www.tampermonkey.net/ is fully displayed in awkward French, obviously automatically translated from English.

IMO, a website should not feature such automated translations and users should use external tools if they want to read such translations.

Because IMO such awkward translations, if officially featured, are detrimental to the image of the websites.

What do you think?
Is it still better than no translations?

I’m not really in position to criticise stuff, because I did not yet participate in translating to French in Weblate.

6 Likes
2

I think it is clear from the previous discussion, and the post likes, that the consensus is that we do not want machine generated translations.

I propose we add a new section to the documentation:

Machine/AI Translations
Do not add machine/AI translations.

We could add more explaining why, but I think it’s fine to be short and clear.

I think @yvanzo could add it now without more community discussion. I think the consensus is already clear, and further discussion would be required if we ever wanted to change it to allowing LLM/machine translations.

5 Likes
3

I just added the following:

Do not translate into a language you are not fluent in!

Automated translations are fine if and only if reviewed/amended by a fluent speaker.

7 Likes
4

LLM translations are often worse than “dumb” translators. They often create words that don’t even exist. It can be pretty funny but definitely not good user experience.

Better to leave it to the user

4 Likes