Baka-Tsuki:External Contributor Rules

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This page describes the rules dictating the uploading of translations from an external resources, including other light novel translation groups.

Introduction

In recent years, Asian light novels have become increasingly popular in the West, and numerous independent bloggers and groups have begun posting English translations on the Internet. These translations can sometimes be difficult to find, so Baka-Tsuki aspires to be a comprehensive index and hub to connect readers with all existing light novel translations on the Internet.

Please respect our rules AND the rules of external translation groups when uploading translations.

Please Select Which Option Describes You Best:

I am the Owner or Official Representative of an External Translation Group

Who Qualifies?

All External Translation Groups (ETG) can qualify to enter affiliation relations with us. We have no minimum requirements for group size, language, skill, activity, etc. You must have translated at least one chapter to be listed at Baka-Tsuki.

Independent translators (i.e.: bloggers or tumblr translators) can qualify under the definition of an ETG. As long as your translation was originally released on the Internet outside of Baka-Tsuki, you can opt to be considered an ETG.

Two Main Affiliation Types

  • Hosted Project: Upload the raw text of your translations to the Wiki
  • Linked Project: Place external hyperlinks to your translations on the Wiki

Please note that there are benefits and drawbacks to each option.

Baka-Tsuki's Terms and Regulations

General Rules
  • All External Translation Groups (ETGs) are expected to abide by our general rules and TLG Common Agreement.
  • All ETGs may choose to have some of their projects be hosted projects, and others be linked projects (or some mixture thereof).
  • ETGs have all rights to their translations.
Hosted Projects
  • External Translation Groups (ETGs) have full authority and control over their own translations.
  • ETGs can format these translations however they desire. ETGs are not bound by the rules of Baka-Tsuki General Conventions or Project-Specific Guidelines.
  • ETGs may request that their translations not be edited by the public, should they desire. (Please contact a Supervisor to have a page locked)
  • ETG's have no authority over chapters or volumes that are not their own (unless the ETG is also the Project Manager).
  • In other words, an ETG cannot prevent other translation groups or Baka-Tsuki translators from translating future chapters. This is still first-come-first-serve.
  • ETGs should understand they do not own the entire project; they only own the translations that they made.
  • ETGs may participate in editing other Baka-Tsuki translations, but they should do so as regular members (and thus must abide by Baka-Tsuki and Project-Specific guidelines).
  • Retranslations are allowed.
  • Retranslations should be linked in parenthesis next to the original translation.
  • The Baka-Tsuki translation gets the first position (if it exists). Every ETG retranslation thereafter comes in subsequent parenthesis on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Project Manager may decide the cosmetics or details of this rule.
  • The Project Manager or Baka-Tsuki Supervisor has authority over the layout of the Project Overview Page.
  • ETGs are encouraged to communicate with Baka-Tsuki staff if any changes are desired.
  • Some comments about Hybrid Projects:
  • A Hybrid Project is any project that has a Baka-Tsuki-associated translator AND an ETG working simultaneously on the project.
  • The Project Manager position is ONLY meant to manage the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.
  • Therefore, the Project Manager has no mandate to regulate an ETG's affairs or translations.
  • However, ETGs should respect the guidelines of the Project Manager if they are going to contribute to editing Baka-Tsuki translations that are not their own.
  • Because of the definition of a Project Manager, ETGs should not list themselves as the Project Manager unless the ETG is genuinely interested in managing the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.
  • If an ETG takes the Project Manager position for a hybrid project, they must observe these rules:
  • They must apply for the Project Manager position in the regular fashion.
  • They should govern Baka-Tsuki members without a conflict of interest to the best of their ability.
  • They must create a Project-Specific Guidelines, and otherwise comply with general Baka-Tsuki rules when managing Baka-Tsuki members. Reminder: By Statement VIII of Baka-Tsuki's General Constitution, prospective contributors cannot be denied from from the Baka-Tsuki-end of the project.
  • ETGs are allowed to run their own translation group however they like. However, they must govern as Project Manager with Baka-Tsuki's rules. Please keep the two separate and distinct (i.e.: Baka-Tsuki translators should not be forced to take your group's translation test in order to participate on the project).
Hybrid Project Case Study (ETG is not Project Manager):

Suppose there is a series for which "MooMooExternalTranslations" translated volumes 1-3 and uploaded to Baka-Tsuki. MooMoo does not want their translations to be edited on Baka-Tsuki unless the Baka-Tsuki editors have prior clearance from their staff. There are Baka-Tsuki translators also working on volumes 7-10 of the same series. The Project Manager is a Baka-Tsuki member.

Baka-Tsuki editors should edit volumes 1-3 with MooMoo's guidelines (if MooMoo does not allow public editing, then BT editors should respect that). All other volumes should be edited with BT guidelines. The Baka-Tsuki Project Manager does not control MooMoo, and MooMoo's Admin Team does not control the BT translators. However, both factions are encouraged to communicate and cooperate.

Hybrid Project Case Study (ETG is Project Manager):

Suppose MooMooTranslations is very invested in a series and wants to make the Baka-Tsuki translations of the series better. In this situation, MooMoo is welcome to take the Project Manager position.

MooMoo should tackle this as if they are managing two translation groups. MooMoo will continue to let their own staff (who may have passed a recruitment test) work on MooMoo-affiliated volumes. At the same time, MooMoo should coordinate Baka-Tsuki translators and editors who operate under Baka-Tsuki values (i.e.: Statement VIII of the BT's Constiution). The two groups should remain separate. MooMoo can consolidate the the Project-Specific Guidelines so that the project is consistent between MooMoo and BT translators, provided that there are no contradictions to BT's Contributor Agreement.

If a third translation group joins (ZeeZeeTranslations), MooMoo cannot force ZeeZee is match Project-Specific Guidelines created by MooMoo. However, all parties are encouraged to enter into dialogue.

Linked Projects
  • ETG's are in no way obligated to listen to the recommendations of Project Managers pertaining to the details of externally hosted translations.
  • However, if an ETG participates in editing Baka-Tsuki translations that are not their own, they should do so as regular members and follow the Project Manager's rules.
  • External links should lead directly to the specified chapter of translation.
  • They should not lead to the ETG's home page or miscellaneous pages.
  • We strongly prefer that linking occur chapter-by-chapter. Linking by parts should only be a last resort if there is no means of navigation.
  • Rules Pertaining the Positioning of Chapter Links:
  • If there is no Baka-Tsuki or Hosted Project translation (translations with raw text uploaded), Linked Projects may place their external link in the default position.
  • Otherwise, the external link should go in parenthesis to the right of any Baka-Tsuki or Hosted Project translation (raw text uploaded). Positioning priority is as follows:
Baka-Tsuki Translation > Hosted Project Translation (raw text uploaded) > Linked Project (external link)
  • ETGs may have a maximum of ONE link that goes to the ETG's home page on the Project Overview Page.
  • Furthermore, miscellaneous announcements (including recruiting) are not allowed on the Project Overview Page.
  • A linked-project ETG is NOT allowed to take the Project Manager position.
  • The Project Manager position is ONLY meant to manage the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.
  • Hence, we feel that ETGs that only provide external links have no investment towards the Baka-Tsuki translations on the Wiki. Therefore, there is no reason why an ETG of a linked project should ever take the Project Manager position.

Affiliation Procedure:

Translation Group Name (with link):

Name of Representative: 

Desired Series for Affiliation:

Desired Affiliation Type (Hosted/Linked):

Specific Accommodations/Rules Desired: 
(i.e.: Minor typo corrections are okay, but Baka-Tsuki contributors shouldn't make stylistic edits)

Email and contact information:
  • A Baka-Tsuki Supervisor will contact you and negotiate the terms of your affiliation. This supervisor will be your liaison with Baka-Tsuki. Please contact this supervisor if you feel like any of your rights are violated, or if you have any specific requests.
  • If the Project Overview Page does not exist, the Baka-Tsuki Supervisor will help create the page and place their name as the Designated Supervisor. Otherwise, the Supervisor will transfer the case to the appropriate Designated Supervisor and inform associated Project Managers.
  • Hosted and Linked Projects are still subject to the same Full Project Approval Guidelines.

I am a Fan Who Has Received Permission to Post Someone Else's Translation

Checklist

  • Have you contacted the owner of the translation and received permission to post their translations on Baka Tsuki?
If you don't have permission, you shouldn't upload it. It is against our rules to upload other's translations without permission. Violators of this rule will experience the consequences. You should not link external translations without obtaining permission. Some translation groups do not wish to be associated with Baka-Tsuki, so please respect their sentiments.
  • Do you have an email, chat log, or screenshot to prove that they gave you permission?
You should have some form of proof. If you do, contact Baka-Tsuki Supervisors at the Administration Contact Page and copy-paste exactly what they told you. We may ask you to email us proof so we have it on file. Do not upload/link anything until you have a response from a Baka-Tsuki supervisor.
  • Does the Project Overview Page already exist on Baka-Tsuki?
If yes, you should contact the current Project Manager of the Baka-Tsuki project. If no, a new Project Overview Page should be created as dictated in the New Project Startup Guidelines.
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