Among other events, we are happy to announce the launch of wikiwords’ beta version!! [Check it out at http://www.wikiwords.org/wikiwords]
The ambitious project, enabled and financed by the ProZ’s professional translators, has as its primary objective the creation of a dynamic online “dictionary of all terms in all languages with definitions and example sentences”. The global-scale idea behind the initiative is to approximate an evolutionary system of interrelated glossaries compiled and uploaded by registered contributor linguists. Thus, dubbed by its administrators the “world’s dictionary”, wkiwords invites all interested linguists and translators to share their experience in an environment of open collaboration.
Though it was designed by ProZ based on the 2003 KudoZ Open Glossary (KOG), wiki’s concept is different. It is intended as a practically limitless terminological database, rather than a discussion forum where translators could post unresolved terms. ProZ keeps the KudoZ functionality on its eminent website and adds to it the wikiwords database browsable by subject area, collection, and language, with a few shot cuts like “Terms recently added”. It is still quite empty and still concerned with practical issues (or “the mechanisms” as they are formally called). Yet it is reasonably customizable with sections like “My Wikiwords”, Add/Import, etc.
This serial wiki project is equally challenging, yet we must be aware that the openness of any online source calls for greater care and increased security. Otherwise the good open initiative might easily turn into dangerous anarchy.
“All terms, all languages. Built by you.” Can you imagine?
Good luck to wikiwords.org! We will certainly take part.
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