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Language Policy

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This document has been modified the last time on 11.01.2026

Due to the inherently multilingual nature of the Craftpedia project, the present document, entitled “Language Policy”, has been established. It defines the principles governing the use, management, and expansion of languages within Craftpedia, including, but not limited to, the following aspects:

  • the definition of language readiness
  • translation methodology
  • the scope of Craftpedia’s guarantees with regard to language versions
  • language expansion policy

The authorship and maintenance of the Language Policy are reserved exclusively to the project founder. This document may be revised periodically as the project evolves.

All translators, local editors, and other contributors whose work within Craftpedia is connected to language-related matters are expected to remain familiar with the current version of this policy. The date of the most recent revision is indicated at the top of this page.

Language Readiness Criterion

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A language version of Craftpedia is considered ready when it contains at least the same number of articles as the English version at the time of readiness assessment.

Translation Methodology

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Articles are translated primarily using machine translation. The guiding principle of Craftpedia’s multilingual strategy is coverage and accessibility rather than stylistic or linguistic perfection.

Scope of Guarantee

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Craftpedia guarantees that materials are available for reading in all published languages. However, Craftpedia does not guarantee that translated articles are fully identical to their original-language counterparts in wording, nuance, or stylistic detail.

Sequential Language Expansion

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A new language version is initiated only after the previously introduced language has reached the defined readiness criterion. This ensures structural completeness and prevents uneven or fragmented multilingual coverage.

Language Stages and Expansion Phases

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Craftpedia follows a staged approach to multilingual expansion. Languages are introduced in clearly defined phases in order to ensure structural completeness, consistency, and sustainable growth of the project.

Stage I — European Languages

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The first stage of multilingual expansion prioritizes European languages. This includes, but is not limited to, the official and widely used languages of the European Union, such as:

  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Dutch
  • Polish
  • Czech
  • Swedish

and other European languages as applicable

English serves as the primary reference language during this stage. Each European language version must reach the defined language readiness criterion before the next language is introduced.

Stage II — Major Asian Languages and Non-Latin Writing Systems

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After all targeted European language versions have reached readiness, Craftpedia proceeds to the second expansion stage, focusing on major Asian languages and non-Latin writing systems.

This stage includes, but is not limited to:

  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Hindi and other major languages of the Indian subcontinent (including, but not limited to, Marathi and related languages)
  • Vietnamese
  • Thai
  • Burmese (Myanmar)

and other languages using logographic, syllabic, or abugida writing systems

This stage places particular emphasis on adapting Craftpedia’s structure to diverse scripts and typographic systems while maintaining terminological consistency.

Stage III — Extended and Rare Languages

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Once the languages of Stage II have reached readiness, Craftpedia may expand further to include additional languages with smaller speaker bases or limited digital resources.

This stage is dedicated to linguistic diversity and cultural inclusion and may include:

  • regional languages
  • minority languages
  • endangered or less widely represented languages
  • languages of primarily oral or hybrid written traditions

The inclusion of languages in this stage is subject to technical feasibility and project capacity.