Wiktionary:What Wiktionary is not
Wiktionary is an online dictionary and, as a means to that end, also an online community. Therefore, there are certain things that Wiktionary is not.
What Wiktionary is not
[កែប្រែ]- Wiktionary is not an encyclopedia, a genealogy database, or an atlas; that is, it is not an in-depth collection of factual information, or of data about places and people. Encyclopedic information should be placed in our sister project, Wikipedia. Wiktionary entries are about words. A Wiktionary entry should focus on matters of language and wordsmithing: spelling, pronunciation, etymology, translation, concept, usage, quotations, and links to related words.
- Wiktionary is not an arbiter of what is good English, correct English, acceptable English, suitable English, grammatical. Wiktionary is simply documenting, explaining what is in use in English, and other languages.
- Wiktionary is not a crystal ball. Wiktionary does not try to predict which new words will actually achieve use. It usually depends on verifiable proof usage over a year.
- Wiktionary is not paper. Thus, Wiktionary effectively has no size limits, can include links, can be more timely, etc. It also means that the style and length of writing appropriate for paper may not be appropriate here. There is less need to exclude arguable entries. If enough people support a well formed entry, then there should be no need to call or VOTE for its deletion.
- Wiktionary is not a soapbox, chatroom, or discussion forum.
- Wiktionary is neither a mirror nor a repository of links, images, or media files. Any content added to Wiktionary may be subject to merciless editing or deletion.
- Wiktionary is not a free wiki host or webspace provider. You may not host your own website at Wiktionary. If you are interested in using the wiki technology for a collaborative effort on anything other than writing a dictionary of all words in all languages, even if it is just a single page, there are many sites that provide wiki hosting. You can even install wiki software on your server.
- Wiktionary is not a battlefield. Every user is expected to interact with others civilly, calmly and in a spirit of cooperation. Do not insult, harass or intimidate those with whom you have a disagreement. Rather, approach the matter in an intelligent manner, and engage in polite discussion. Do not create or edit entries just to prove a point. Do not make legal or other threats against Wiktionary, Wiktionarians, or the Wikimedia Foundation. Threats are not tolerated and may result in a ban.
- Wiktionary is not censored for the ‘protection of minors’ (nor is it content-rated). Anyone can edit an entry and the results are displayed instantaneously; thus, we cannot guarantee that a child will not see or read something objectionable. In addition, Wiktionary has no organized system for the removal of material that might be thought likely to harm minors. However, entries can be, and are, censored by consensus.
- Wiktionary is not monolingual. Wiktionary is a dictionary written in one language and covering all words in all languages, just as Wikipedia is an encyclopedia written in one language of all topics from all language-areas. This Wiktionary is written in English. Although one could look up être at fr.wiktionary (fr:être), that wouldn’t be of any help to someone who doesn’t speak French, and that person still wouldn’t know what être meant. Each Wiktionary seeks to define all words from all languages in its own language, so that readers will be able to find definitions of all words in all languages in their own language.