What action should be taken if an author does not understand the manuscript's language?

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When an author does not understand the manuscript’s language, the best action is to arrange support from a colleague who can assist them in interpreting the material, clarifying terms, and guiding revisions. This lets the author participate meaningfully and maintain responsibility for the content, which is essential for fair and accurate authorship. It also helps ensure that the science, methods, and conclusions are correctly understood and agreed upon by all authors before submission. Translating the manuscript for them can blur responsibility and raise questions about who is accountable for the content, so it’s better to facilitate understanding through appropriate support or language-editing resources. Excluding the author or delaying submission for language reasons isn’t constructive or fair; providing the right assistance keeps collaboration ethical and inclusive.