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This document defines how articles are proofread within the Craftpedia ecosystem.
It applies to all languages and all regional portals.

The goal of this guide is to ensure that Craftpedia articles maintain a consistent, clear, and professional level of language quality suitable for academic and museum-related contexts.

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== Purpose of This Guide ==
The Proof-reading Guide establishes:
* language quality expectations;
* rules for correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style;
* best practices for maintaining a neutral, academic tone;
* responsibilities of proofreaders within the publication workflow.

This guide applies to all Craftpedia portals and all languages.

== Role of the Proofreader ==

Proofreaders focus on the '''language and readability''' of the article, not its factual accuracy.
Their main responsibilities include:

* correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation;
* improving clarity, coherence, and readability;
* ensuring adherence to Craftpedia’s tone and style;
* maintaining terminology consistency;
* checking formatting and section structure;
* reporting factual inconsistencies without attempting to fix them independently.

A proofreader must not:
* introduce new facts, interpretations, or assumptions;
* alter the meaning of the text;
* rewrite the article in a creative or literary style.

== General Proof-reading Principles ==

Craftpedia articles must follow these principles:

* '''Clarity''' – Sentences must be easy to read and understand.
* '''Neutrality''' – Tone must remain factual and academic.
* '''Consistency''' – Spelling, terminology, and formatting must follow Craftpedia standards.
* '''Accuracy of Language''' – Grammar and syntax must be correct for the target language.
* '''Respect''' – Descriptions of crafts and cultures must be sensitive and precise.

Proofreading must focus on language and presentation without compromising the original meaning.

== Language Quality Expectations ==

All articles must follow these expectations:

* correct grammar and syntax;
* correct spelling and diacritical marks;
* consistent style (Oxford comma optional per language rules);
* consistent terminology throughout the article;
* appropriate academic vocabulary;
* avoidance of casual, emotional, or promotional language;
* correct usage of craft names, periods, and cultural terms.

Examples:

; Incorrect:
“This beautiful pottery tradition is incredibly famous in Japan.”

; Correct:
“This pottery tradition is historically significant and widely recognized in Japan.”

== Tone and Style Requirements ==

Craftpedia uses a tone similar to museum catalogues, encyclopedias, and academic publications.

Proofreaders should ensure that:

* language is neutral and objective;
* personal opinions are removed;
* excessive adjectives are eliminated;
* narrative or storytelling style is avoided unless well-controlled;
* long sentences are divided for clarity;
* passive constructions are used only when appropriate;
* terminology is consistent with museum and academic usage.

Example:

; Avoid:
“The legendary master potters produced incredibly beautiful vases.”

; Prefer:
“Potters of this tradition produced vases known for their refined craftsmanship.”

== Handling Terminology ==

Proofreaders must verify:

* consistency of craft names;
* correct transliteration of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and other non-Latin scripts;
* correct usage of regional and historical terminology;
* consistent spelling of technical terms (e.g., underglaze, high-fired, stoneware, alloy).

If uncertain, proofreaders should check:
* existing Craftpedia articles;
* museum publications;
* glossaries for their specific language.

Under no circumstances should a proofreader invent or guess terminology.

== Structure and Formatting ==

Proofreaders ensure that articles follow the standard Craftpedia article structure:

* Introduction
* Historical Background
* Materials
* Techniques
* Tools and Equipment (if relevant)
* Regional Variations
* Cultural Significance
* Modern Developments
* Notable Objects or Types
* Gallery
* References
* Categories

Proofreaders must verify:

* section headings are correct and in proper order;
* paragraphs are not excessively long;
* lists follow consistent formatting;
* quotes and transliterations are marked correctly;
* italics are used appropriately for foreign terms;
* categories follow required conventions.

== Working With Translated Articles ==

When proofreading translations, proofreaders must:

* check the text for naturalness and fluency in the target language;
* correct awkward or literal machine-translated constructions;
* ensure idioms and expressions are appropriate;
* maintain the meaning of the original article;
* verify that proper nouns and craft names follow translation guidelines.

Common issues in translated articles:

* unnatural sentence structure;
* incorrect grammar influenced by the source language;
* literal translations that obscure meaning;
* duplication of words or phrases;
* overly vague or overly complex sentences.

== Coordination With Translators and Fact-checkers ==

Proofreaders collaborate with:

* translators – for clarifying misleading or ambiguous text;
* fact-checkers – for verifying factual statements;
* editors – for maintaining consistency across portals.

Proofreaders should leave clear notes when:

* changes require confirmation;
* terminology inconsistencies are detected;
* sections appear incomplete or unclear;
* obvious factual errors are present (without correcting them independently).

== Common Errors to Watch For ==

Proofreaders should pay special attention to:

* misplaced modifiers;
* incorrect use of articles (a, an, the);
* incorrect verb tense or agreement;
* run-on sentences;
* incorrect punctuation;
* confusing or fragmented sentences;
* inconsistent capitalisation;
* inconsistent punctuation of foreign terms;
* incorrect spacing around punctuation marks (language-dependent).

In translated articles:
* false friends;
* unnatural or literal constructions;
* calques that distort meaning;
* untranslated fragments.

== When Proofreading Is Complete ==

A proofreader may mark an article as complete when:

* language quality meets Craftpedia standards;
* style and tone are appropriate and consistent;
* terminology is correct and unified;
* formatting and structure are clean;
* the article is coherent and readable.

If factual issues remain, these must be documented for the fact-checker.

== Version History ==
* 1.0 – Initial release (English)

Proof-reading Guide/en - Revision history

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