multiple author pofiles for Al-Ghazali

[Anass]

Hi,
I noticed that Al-Ghazali has multiple author profiles
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

These are all the same author, and things get even messier when some books are put under one of the profiles but not the other. Some books are duplicated because of these. It's a big mess

Can you please merge them?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

This does not require assistance from a Superlibrarian; I have moved it to the correct folder. Please see https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Please also note that we do not merge author names in different languages. Please see: https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/... (See: Authors published in multiple languages)

Authors with books published in multiple languages should have their names dealt with similarly to those with pen names. All editions should have the primary author name as the standard or most common Roman (that is, English-language) version of the author's name. Editions published under another spelling of the name or the name in another language should have that name listed as the secondary author. Different editions of a book not having the same primary author can cause quite a few distinct problems. Please keep the primary author for all editions of a work the same.

And two of your links are duplicates (go to the same profile).

There are edits that are needed (the author names are out of order in many cases; the Roman name should be first), but none appear to involve merging author profiles.

[Anass]

Hi Rivka,

The rule isn't clear to me, we are talking about an author who published all of his books in Arabic, but they got translated to other languages, do you still maintain two profiles for him?

and regarding the links. It looks like someone has deleted 2 of the duplicate profiles after I posted my question (both were in English).
We are left now with one in Arabic and one in English.

Regarding the super librarian issue, can regular librarians merge authors profiles? I don't think I've seen any info regarding this

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Anass wrote: "The rule isn't clear to me, we are talking about an author who published all of his books in Arabic, but they got translated to other languages, do you still maintain two profiles for him?"

Yes. It matters that the books exist now in multiple languages, not whether that was true in the author's lifetime.


Anass wrote: "We are left now with one in Arabic and one in English."

Which is as it should be. And at least the first and last link (both of which go to the author profile with author number 15328284) are duplicates. Another does appear to have been merged.


Anass wrote: "can regular librarians merge authors profiles?"

As long as neither is a claimed profile, yes. If either one is claimed, superlibrarians cannot merge them either.

[Anass]

Thanks!

[Arenda]

Added Abu Hamid al-Ghazali as primary author to all editions that had the Arabic version as primary author. Also left Librarians notes on both profiles explaining the policy.
Also removed two dead links to no longer existing author profile from the description of the Arabic profile.

[Anass]

Perfect!