Thread: WikiExchange is no robbery!

Hello,
I am new to these boards and I am a native Russian speaker. I recently tried my hand at contributing to the English Wikipedia by translating a Russian article into English, since the English version didn’t exist, and I confess to delight in the process of translating. Therefore I have got a proposition for you: if a Russian Wikipedia article exists and an English does not, and you want to read it in English, I will try to translate the article into English in exchange for correcting possible grammatical and stylistical mistakes. How does it sound to you?
Regards,
Crypto.

Crypto this sounds like a very worthwhile way of practicing English.
I'll look out for something that needs to be translated.

A couple of the articles I've seen about Russia on English Wikipedia have been in very poor English - probably translated by somebody who wasn't quite ready for the job just yet. That's another area you might want to look at.

There is a real shortage of information about some things to do with Russia on Wiki although I can't think of a concrete example right now. I can't check whether the Russian words have been translated correctly, but I can certainly check the English end result.

Actually I CAN think of an example: Russian musical groups and artists. Just check that all your favourite groups are available in Wikipedia, if not translate the Russian article and make sure that there is a category about it in Russian wiki for people who are looking for information. For instance people who are learning Russian and would like to listen to Russian music but don't what music is good.

Be warned though - translating gets boring pretty quickly...

Originally Posted by Johanna

Actually I CAN think of an example: Russian musical groups and artists. Just check that all your favourite groups are available in Wikipedia

This seems to be a nice idea, however, I happen not be a fan of music in general, and if I had been one, it would have been the first thing I would have tried myself. I have no faintest idea what music bands are popular with Russian learners (or with Russians).

Ok, you are not saying what your interests are, but if they are not music -- perhaps something more technical or social.

Anything about chess from Russian Wiki is of interest to me (I like chess).
Also anything at all about space or the Russian space program, past or present.

Social/Political - have a look at the English vs Russian wiki page about an organisation called "Наши" some kind of youth movement that was mentioned in an article I read. The English Wiki article is much shorter than the Russian and starts with some very controversial claims.

Film - pick a great Russian film which might not be known outside Russia and enter a description of the plot and cast.

I'm happy to check the quality of any of the above.