Translating on to local boards as a way of earning merit

[Don Pedro Dinero]

I have received a PM asking for permission to translate one of my threads to a local forum, which I understand to be a form of merit fishing.

To begin with, I don't think you need to ask anyone's permission if you want to translate their post, as long as you credit the author and provide a link to the original thread.

I also see that many threads are translated because it makes sense; they are informative, high-quality threads of some importance.

But the thread they tell me to translate is this:

The different types of bubbles.

A thread from 2017, which only got six replies. Most importantly, in my opinion, it's hardly my thread. Let me explain: most of the OP is my translation of a thread from another forum. Online translators didn't work very well back then, so I did the translation by hand.

But this has made me think that, as it is well known that I am a merit source, this interest is due not so much to the supposed interest of the thread itself but to the possibility of earning merit from it. Besides, if you use a translator or AI, you can translate it in a moment (checking what the translator gives you if you are a decent person), but with a very low effort-reward ratio.

I wanted to know if you have encountered similar situations and what you think about them.

[Mahiyammahi]

You're not forced to give some merits to a random shit. If you think  the work and effort he did is actually worth of praise then you can sent him merit for appreciation.
Point To Be Noted
- Check his previous works
- If he's really doing all these for merit farm then exclude him from your merit list
- But if you find that user really passionate about it than his motives is solid IMO

Usually it feels great if you saw your writing gets a new form on some local boards. Even by congratulating a user on ranking up thread/save nice merit records thread a user gives merit. Usually it depends on the user's mood as long as I saw these incidents. You can't stop merit farmer to farm merit, but good deeds should be praised. Just be careful enough that the user is really deserves the merit you're giving.


Those who is passionate enough to share the knowledge towards their local forum, I saw they don't usually take permission for translating. Some of my posts translated in diff local boards they didn't ask for permission, but I received the credit for it. Usually it gets necessary to take permission if a post's get popular enough and you're not active enough on your local boards and suddenly wanted to translate a certain posts , haha . But in your case this was not necessary but seems like pre planned attention grabbing.

[Btcdeybodi]

I have seem countless threads that have been translated in the forum and most of the ones i have seen, the users that translates them normally request for permission from the original poster though not in PM but in the thread.

I have received a PM asking for permission to translate one of my threads to a local forum, which I understand to be a form of merit fishing.

I see nothing wrong in a user asking for permission to translate your past topics though i don't know if sending a PM is a violation but if you see it as a form of merit fishing then do not give them merit, as simple as that.

[SatoPrincess]

I know there is a group that translates selected topics in local boards. I doubt the account that sent you a dm is a part of this group because they have quite a lot on their hands. As for the use of Ai, if someone attempts to use Ai to translate a post in my local board it would be caught immediately.

I do agree with you if the topic isn’t that interesting, it shouldn’t be translated.

[YOSHIE]

I have received a PM asking for permission to translate one of my threads to a local forum, which I understand to be a form of merit fishing.

Aren't forums always seen as having freedom of speech, yes I think if someone asks permission to translate your topic to their local council I think that's a gesture of respect towards you, even though they know you're a Merit member, that's another story.

Of course asking for permission is necessary, what if your thread is taken to a local site that you don't like, of course the problem is more complicated, regarding awarding merit, of course you are free to draw conclusions, of course you have the right to give it and the right not to give it, that's your right.

Once again permission is important, it means respecting not haphazardly translating people's topics to the local council, that's my opinion, yes I understand we have different views in situations like that, The point is, there is nothing wrong if someone respects you, regardless of other elements that are expected.

[Wiwo]

As much as seeking the original owner of the work permission is a sign of respect,  i think Don Pedro Dinero have a good point in this statement,  i have followed a few translated threads in my local board and huge amount of merits are awarded by the original owner of the work, this may be seen as encouragement,  but lately is now a trend.

First question to ask:

1:Have previously translated threads received merits rewards?

2: How often are the translated thread own by none known merits sources members?
only threads originating from merits sources are mostly translated.

This could make up for the reasons for Don Pedro Dinero statement, of translations as means of  merits fishing.

[Zoomic]

The different types of bubbles.

It is not a new trend, some people actually used it to rank upto Snr member.

Secondly, the topic above doesn't deserve a translation.

They translate majorly threads of merit sources and also some kind of lengthy threads. I see that the thread is lengthy.

Besides, that thread is about 8 years ago. Bitcoin is no longer regarded as a bubble. So, what's the essence of the translation?

[rohang]

Thats a great point don made, most certainly the user who DMed is looking for some free merits

Even if they translate it by themselves spending alot of time on it, there is no way for don to know that since it will be different language

But i must say its a unique way to get a merit source’s attention. I would maybe look into their merit history to see how they earned their merits so far 

[SilverCryptoBullet]

Aren't forums always seen as having freedom of speech, yes I think if someone asks permission to translate your topic to their local council I think that's a gesture of respect towards you, even though they know you're a Merit member, that's another story.

Using the original content or translate it to any language is acceptable if the source link is written in the post, topic. Asking for permission of the original author is not a mandate but doing this showing respect to the original author, that is a good action.

Translation from English to non English languages is good but if it is a translation from English to another language that is almost English is not necessary.  Like you translate English to Indian English, Phillipines English, Nigeria English, is it truly needed?

Locals can understand English well, write their posts in English well, that are examples on how such translations are not really needed.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

First question to ask:

1:Have previously translated threads received merits rewards?

I looked at his merit history and most earned merits are from translated threads in the local board. Which can be OK, but not so much in this case.

2: How often are the translated thread own by none known merits sources members?
only threads originating from merits sources are mostly translated.

I haven't looked into it in detail, because I don't know what all the sources of merit are, but if the original authors are not sources of merit, they are at least high merit earners.

Using the original content or translate it to any language is acceptable if the source link is written in the post, topic. Asking for permission of the original author is not a mandate but doing this showing respect to the original author, that is a good action.

Yes, I would like to clarify what I said in the OP that I don't think is necessary. Yes, it may be a form of respect, as you say, to tell the author that you want to translate the article, but in this case it sounds more like wanting to get their attention in order to gain merit once the translation is published.

Translation from English to non English languages is good but if it is a translation from English to another language that is almost English is not necessary.  Like you translate English to Indian English, Phillipines English, Nigeria English, is it truly needed?

Locals can understand English well, write their posts in English well, that are examples on how such translations are not really needed.

Good point. It is one of those cases you mention.

[Vaculin]

First, I just want to say I don’t even have a good thread that’s worth translating -- my point here is really about the thread creator or the translator.

For me, if your thread is actually useful and can inspire users in the local section, then I think it’s fine. You’re extending your knowledge to another part of the forum, and that helps the community.

About the merit-fishing thing.. that should come second. If the post is helpful, people will naturally merit it. It’s really hard to determine who’s genuinely sharing and who’s fishing for merits, because every user, a merit source or not has their own way of evaluating what they think deserves merit. Some even give them just for “merit tripping.”

[hugeblack]

Such cases are viewed on a case-by-case basis, and in the worst-case scenario, the user will receive neutral trust. However, this is how merit works, as it helps in creating more high-quality posts (or at least translating them).

If Google Translate is used, then there is a problem, and it deserves negative trust.

[Erumo]

Guy honor your content and asked for permission to share that. Instead you treat him as merit farmer. It would be much worse if you start translating your own topics by google translate and posting in locals you would never belong to or been. Even if this guy is translating your content for earning merit, he is sharing valuable info, and giving merit is subjective. Just say no if you dont want your content to be posted by someone else.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

Guy honor your content and asked for permission to share that. Instead you treat him as merit farmer.

Couldn't you think of anything more stupid to say?

It would be much worse if you start translating your own topics by google translate and posting in locals you would never belong to or been.

It would also be much worse if, instead of talking rubbish, you were plagiarising.

Even if this guy is translating your content for earning merit, he is sharing valuable info, and giving merit is subjective. Just say no if you dont want your content to be posted by someone else.

I'd rather say no to reading nonsense, which means I'll put you on my ignore list.

[DYING_S0UL]

I know there is a group that translates selected topics in local boards. I doubt the account that sent you a dm is a part of this group because they have quite a lot on their hands. As for the use of Ai, if someone attempts to use Ai to translate a post in my local board it would be caught immediately.

I do agree with you if the topic isn’t that interesting, it shouldn’t be translated.

I'm pretty sure it's wasn't any of us from AOBT, and whoever that may be, is (probably) looking for merits indirectly, but asking for permission is also okay, I guess. It makes sense to inform OP! We, at AOBT, also done this many times, but normally users with credible reputation like GazetaBitcoin or Porfirii does that.

And before translating any topics, we have to propose it first publicly and it then goes through a evaluation process (can be seen in the AOBT thread), where if the majority agrees, only then it's translated, if it's worthy...