Wiktionary:Frequent problems

This page is intended to serve both as a tutorial for newcomers and a reference for more experienced editors. It describes common errors and other problems encountered on the English Wiktionary. Some of these problems are simple and easy to correct, while others are more difficult to manage, but all are encountered with some regularity. Along with each problem are included suggestions for experienced editors in how to approach newcomers who have made such errors (often unknowingly).

The general recommendation is to fix it if you know how. It you are not sure, ask at WT:INFO or WT:Tea Room.

Some desirable and required items are frequently omitted from new entries or edits.

Language headers

A language header is required for all entries on Wiktionary. (Use {{rfd}} or {{rfc}} if you can't determine the language.)

Part of speech header

A part of speech (PoS) header is required for all entries on Wiktionary. (Use {{rfd}} or {{rfc}} if you can't determine the PoS.)

Headword

A headword is required for all entries on Wiktionary. Headwords are generated using {{head}} or other templates, not just by using ''' to bold the text.

Disambiguation glosses

All Wiktionary translation sections should be broken into a series of tables, one for each sense that has translations, each table being headed by a disambiguation gloss (using {{trans-top}}).

Similarly, lists of synonyms, antonyms, and so on should be headed with a short gloss (using {{sense}}).

Some users add context that does not qualify for inclusion under our guidelines (see WT:CFI).

Experimental editing

Some new users create or edit content experimentally, often with unintended results. New users may be unaware of how to correct such problems they have created.

For mistaken pages, the {{delete}} tag can be used to mark mistaken pages for speedy deletion.

For experimental editing, the {{test}} template may be subst'd on a new user's talk page, but please sign in case the user has questions.

Personal pages

{{delete}} or {{rfd}}

Spam and promotional material

{{delete}} or {{rfd}}

Encyclopedic entries

{{delete}} or {{rfd}}

Protologisms

move content to Appendix:Protologisms

Prescriptivism/purism/stickler-ism

Wiktionary definitions reflect how words are used, not how they should be used. ({{rfc}})

Confusion of transcription and pronunciation

{{rfp}}

Wrong script

Use templates or {{rfc}})

Wikilink omission

Pages containing no wikilinks are not counted as "good entries" by the software that tallies our page total. Add useful wikilink.

Redirects

Capitalization

Use {{alt form of}}, {{rfm}}, or merge missing content into an existing page with correct capitalization.

Singular form of standard headers

Some users will add Synonym instead of Synonyms or Usage note instead of Usage notes. The plural forms are standard and should always be used, even if only one item is listed.

This problem can be ignored unless a user does it as a matter of course, since a bot will fix the header. If a user does commit this error as a matter of course, a polite note on his user talk page can instruct him otherwise.

Adding duplicate content