# Add English Translation

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

{% hint style="warning" %}

### **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.*
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F7ysbBRtmqL7vk9qdt0uv%2Fchrome_aP4QHsDsST.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=4873ca2a-d350-4cf7-a5f0-89ce7628a283" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## 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.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F5lpt7T74OzhMfeYxDHMo%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=01e49b06-c34c-4e0a-81ab-89be18dfd528" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 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.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FCKqt1wj0DIoshzbGG020%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9bdaede9-c2f3-42c7-aec1-0b13c1b3b488" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 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.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FMDn72J3P0VcmCat3LB6H%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4ef29e9d-1068-499e-a50b-65cb35a9edde" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 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.

***

## 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.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2Fi2nuaISTWRETzms1R2UI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=194309e2-7c5c-40cc-aa2e-d2dc83bf0ea5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### 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.” |

{% hint style="success" %}

### 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.
  {% endhint %}