TalkSeiten

TalkSeiten, often translated as talk pages, are discussion pages attached to articles or topics within a wiki. They provide a forum for editors to discuss content decisions, request edits, propose improvements, and resolve disputes without altering the article text directly. By design, TalkSeiten separate conversation from content, allowing a transparent record of editorial reasoning and history of decisions.

Use and purpose: editors use TalkSeiten to ask clarifications, link to sources, outline proposed changes, and document consensus or disagreements. They help coordinate edits, track decisions, and guide future revisions. In many wikis, a link labeled Talk or Discussion appears on the article page to access the corresponding TalkSeite. The pages often reference specific diffs or revisions to anchor points in the discussion.

Structure and etiquette: posts are usually attributed to an editor and time-stamped. Discussions are organized into threads or sections, and editors may sign their messages. Contributors should be civil, stay on topic, provide citations when proposing factual changes, and avoid personal attacks. Long discussions are often archived to maintain page readability. Some communities establish guidelines for topic scope, sources, and dispute resolution within TalkSeiten.

Governance and impact: TalkSeiten play a key role in editorial governance, offering a transparent space to resolve conflicts, document reasoning, and reach consensus before changes are applied to the article. They also serve as historical records that help future editors understand past decisions and rationale.

Languages and platforms: while the general concept exists across many wiki systems, the exact terminology varies. German-language wikis commonly use Talkseiten or Diskussion for these pages, while English-language wikis use Talk pages attached to articles.