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This question, about the three characteristics, seems pretty succinct and should be easy to answer. In fact someone has already given an answer that is, one level, perfectly fine. However, they've also offered translations that are not, in my opinion, at all correct.

My preferred approach would be to simply go in and offer better translations. That keeps the focus on one answer(1), lets it get voted up, and in general should make the whole thing more useful for subsequent readers. But it risks trampling on another user (the first person who answered).

Any guidance?

(1) Presumably the ideal SE Q&A is a single succinct, well-targeted question, with a single, succinct, and universally accepted answer. ("Q: What is 1+1?", "A: 2"). That's hard to get, but I assume we should try to approach it when possible, no?

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No, I think we're trying for multiple competing answers... Area51 says:

2.5 answers per question is good, only 1 answer per question needs some work. On a healthy site, questions receive multiple answers and the best answer is voted to the top.

Changing an existing answer risks offending the answerer and causing comment storms, I would think.

BTW, I think the best answer in this case should probably be a lot longer than the one given.

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  • Ah, OK. Cool. Actually in this case I'm not going to answer, because I know there are several of us (e.g. you) who know that stuff a lot better than I do. But it was a good example to ask my base point about.
    – tkp
    Jul 3 '14 at 0:07
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    People should feel free to edit answers if the answer needs editing (and the OP is nowhere to be found) due to factual incorrectness or updated information. But to add a new answer to the question (a new perspective, a competing viewpoint), a new answer should be written.
    – hairboat
    Jul 3 '14 at 22:35
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Making your suggestions for edits in the comments is the "right speech" thing to do.

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Personally, other then minor edits such as spelling or fixing links, if I come across an answer the I can significantly improve on I edit it.

I only add a new answer if there is some new or different information to add.

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