Wikipedia article translation services convert an article into another language edition by checking local notability rules, translating with human writers, localising sources and crediting the original article correctly. Wikiagency LTD has handled translations into 119 languages.
Last updated October 2026 by the Wikiagency LTD editorial team.
Translating an article is not a copy-paste job. Some editions have stricter sourcing, others prefer shorter articles and almost all expect references in the local language where possible.
We treat each target edition as its own project and look for coverage in the local press so that native editors see a well-supported article.
What our article translation services include
- Eligibility check for each target edition
- Human translation by fluent writers
- Localisation of references and measurements
- Interlanguage links and Wikidata connections
- Attribution of the source article
- Follow-up with the local community
How the process works
- Choose. You select the languages.
- Check. We confirm the subject qualifies locally.
- Translate. We write the localised version.
- Publish. We submit and monitor.
Who this service is for
- Global brands
- Cross-border professionals and creatives
- Institutions with international reach
- Authors translated into other languages
Policies we follow
We follow each edition’s rules on paid editing and attribution. Machine translation alone is not used. Read our guides on how to create a Wikipedia page and how to update Wikipedia pages for the rules in detail.
Timeline and pricing
Quoted by language and article length. Send your article link and target languages for a free quote.
Translating an article is an editorial decision
Taking an article from one Wikipedia into another sounds mechanical, but each translation is an editorial decision about whether the subject belongs in that edition and how it should appear there. Editions are independent communities. A deletion discussion in one has no authority in another, and a favourable review in one does not carry over. Each article is judged on the target edition’s terms.
That independence is useful. A subject rejected in one edition may be accepted in another because of different guidelines, and a subject with strong coverage in a particular country may be well suited to that country’s edition even if the English article is short.
Which direction to translate
Most of our projects translate from English into other languages, but the reverse is also valuable. A company or public figure well covered in German or Japanese media may have a fuller article in that edition than in English, and bringing it into English requires English-language sources or translated references. We assess which edition is the best origin for the text.
Where an English article is the source, we check that it is current. Translating an outdated article only multiplies the problem.
The translation workflow
- Source selection. We confirm the source article is accurate, neutral and well referenced.
- Eligibility review. We review the target edition’s notability and sourcing norms.
- Translation. A native-level writer translates and adapts the text.
- Reference localisation. We add local-language sources and translate reference details.
- Formatting. We adapt templates, categories and infoboxes to the target edition’s versions, which often have different names and parameters.
- Attribution and linking. We credit the source and connect the article through Wikidata.
- Submission and follow-up. We publish or submit as the edition requires and respond to local editors.
Cultural and linguistic adaptation
Names, titles and institutions need care. A company’s legal form may be written differently in different countries. Honorifics are used, omitted or reordered according to local convention. Measurement units, date formats and currency symbols differ. Sentence structure in languages such as Arabic, Japanese or Hindi does not mirror English, so the translator rewrites rather than transposes.
We also consider cultural sensitivity: subjects that are uncontroversial in one country may be sensitive in another, and neutral wording has to take that into account.
Quality control
Every translation is reviewed by a second linguist or editor before submission, who compares it with the source for accuracy, tone and completeness. We check that numbers, dates and names are identical, that the structure is equivalent and that references remain properly linked. We also run the text through the target edition’s style expectations: lead length, section naming and use of templates.
Keeping translations in sync
Articles diverge over time. If the English article is updated with new facts, the translations will lag unless someone updates them. We offer synchronisation services that apply material updates to translated articles, within the target editions’ rules, so that readers in every language see consistent information. This is especially useful for organisations with international operations.
Pricing and next steps
Pricing depends on the language, article length and number of editions. Send us your article link and target languages through the quote form above, or book a free consultation. See also page translation services and our article creation services if you need the English article first.
In-depth answers about article translation
Can I translate my own article using Wikipedia’s Content Translation tool? Yes, the tool exists and many volunteers use it. It splits the page into paragraphs and helps with references and links. But it does not decide whether the subject is notable in the target edition, whether the sources are acceptable there or whether the machine suggestions are fluent. A tool-assisted translation still needs a skilled editor to review and adapt it.How does attribution work? Wikipedia content is licensed under terms that require credit to the original authors. When translating, the revision history of the new article records the source article and its authors through the translation tools or an explicit edit summary. Omitting this can result in deletion for licensing reasons.Do all editions accept paid editors? Policies vary. Some editions have rules similar to English Wikipedia’s disclosure requirement; others have stricter limits. We check before accepting a project and refuse editions where our involvement would breach local rules.Can a translated article be different from the source? Yes, and often should be. Local editions prefer coverage reflecting local sources and interests. An article about a global brand in the Spanish Wikipedia might emphasise Latin American operations that are mentioned briefly in English.What if the target edition rejects the article? We read the reasons, fix what can be fixed and tell you honestly if the edition is not a good fit.Can you translate into smaller languages? Often yes. Smaller editions have fewer editors and fewer articles, so a well-written new article is welcome, though verification by local editors may be slower.Language edition snapshots
German Wikipedia has a reputation for strict relevance criteria and demanding sourcing standards. Articles about companies often need clear evidence of size or market role.French Wikipedia places emphasis on encyclopedic tone and has detailed conventions for biographies.Spanish Wikipedia is large and diverse, serving many countries, and benefits from sources across regions.Arabic Wikipedia has particular conventions for names and transliteration and values local-language references.Japanese Wikipedia has strict rules on living persons and expects references to be Japanese-language sources.Urdu and Hindi Wikipedias are growing editions where well-sourced new articles are especially valuable.These are generalisations; each edition changes over time. We update our guidance as we work in them.
A worked example
A software company with an English article wants a Portuguese version for its Brazilian expansion. We start with a review of the English article, updating a few facts. We then check Portuguese Wikipedia’s guidelines for companies and find that coverage in Brazilian business media would support notability. We locate two such articles. A native Portuguese writer prepares the text, adapting currency formats, naming conventions and the description of the Brazilian subsidiary. The infobox is rebuilt with the Portuguese template. We attribute the English source, link through Wikidata and submit under disclosure. When a local editor asks for clearer sourcing on a figure, we add a reference. The article is accepted and appears in the language list on the English page.
Risks of poor translation
A badly translated article can harm the subject more than having no article at all. Awkward phrasing signals carelessness; mistranslated technical terms spread errors; literal renderings of idioms can be unintentionally comical or offensive. Names may be transliterated inconsistently, making the subject hard to find. And a deleted article in one language leaves a record that can colour how editors elsewhere view the subject.
Because every language edition is public and indexed by search engines, the quality of translation is visible to anyone searching in that language. We treat each translation as a public-facing publication, with the same editorial care as the original.
Collaborating with local communities
Most language editions have active volunteer communities who care about quality in their language. Respecting them is both ethical and practical. We introduce ourselves transparently, follow local procedures and accept feedback. Where there is a local noticeboard for paid editing or new articles, we use it. When editors suggest changes, we make them. This humility is the main reason our translated articles are accepted.
We also avoid flooding editions with large numbers of translated articles at once, which can look like campaign activity. A steady, well-considered approach is more effective.
Planning a multi-language rollout
- Prioritise markets. Choose languages where your audience is largest or where Wikipedia is a primary information source.
- Assess eligibility per edition. Not all editions will suit your subject.
- Fix the source article first. Translations amplify errors.
- Translate in waves. Start with one or two editions, learn from the response, then expand.
- Maintain. Plan for updates to the translated articles when the English article changes materially.
A staged rollout reduces risk and gives you data on which languages produce the most benefit. Some clients find that two or three languages deliver most of the value, while others, such as global institutions, benefit from broad coverage.
Related Wikipedia services
This service works well alongside Wikipedia Page Translation Services, Wikipedia Article Creation Services, Wikipedia Article Maintenance Services. You may also find our guides helpful: How to create a Wikipedia page, How to update Wikipedia pages, Who can update Wikipedia pages.