Add English Translation

Adding and Updating Translations on TheTVDB Platform

Translations play a vital role in helping international users discover and understand shows on TheTVDB and SIMKL.

Simkl requires an English Title translation present in a TV Show to be able to import it from TVDB

By adding translated titles, summaries, and alternative names, you help make global content easier to find, properly categorized, and accurately displayed in multiple languages.

• Adding an English translation isn’t just a formality. It serves a couple of practical purposes. First, it helps moderators quickly verify that a show is legitimate and not spam or duplicate data. Without a common reference language, that process becomes messy fast. Second, it makes the show discoverable to a wider audience. Even if the content is local, people often watch with subtitles—especially for language learning or exploring international content. An English title/overview gives them a way to find it in the first place.

• On top of that, it keeps the data consistent across apps and integrations. Many services, APIs, and third-party tools expect at least one common language field. Without it, matching, syncing, and indexing content becomes fragile.

• It also improves search and recommendations. Even if someone doesn’t speak the original language, they can still stumble onto the show through tags, genres, or similar titles.

Where to Find or Edit Translations

You can view and edit translations directly from the show’s main page.

Step 1: Navigate to “Edit Translations”

From the show page:

• Click the ⚙️ Settings icon (top right of the show banner)

• Select Edit Translations

This opens the Translate Series page where you’ll see a list of all supported languages.

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Step 2: Choose the Language You Want to Edit

The Translate Series page lists all available languages with indicators showing what’s already filled:

✅ = Translation exists ⭕ = Missing overview or title

Click Edit beside the language you want to update.

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Step 3: Add or Update the Translation

When editing a specific language (e.g. English or French), you’ll see fields for:

Field	Description
Name	Translated or localized title
Overview	Summary or plot description in the target language
Aliases	Alternate or regional names (optional)

Keep summaries short, spoiler-free, and natural in tone. Avoid machine translations.

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Step 4: Save and Review

After saving:

• Your translated title will appear under the show’s aliases (language tags visible under the main title).

• It will also become searchable under that language in SIMKL.

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Adding English Translations (For Non-English Originals)

If the show’s original language isn’t English, make sure to add an English translation so it can appear properly on SIMKL and other global databases.

Why It Matters

• English is the primary fallback language for international databases.

• Without it, users may see blank titles or missing descriptions.

• It ensures cross-language discoverability for users who search in English.

Example

Original Title	오늘도 사랑스럽개
English Title	Lovely Runner
Alias	“Run On Love” (optional nickname)
Overview	“A veterinarian discovers she can travel back in time to prevent a tragic death.”

Pro Tips

• Always verify from official sources (Netflix, IMDb, TMDB, or network sites).

• Avoid using Google Translate or unofficial fan subs if an official translation is available somewhere.

• Ensure grammar and punctuation match the target language standard.

• If unsure about the original airing language, check network or production details.

• Use aliases instead of creating duplicate entries for remakes or alternate names.