Mla Citation Guide For Translated Books

To cite a translated book in MLA, state the book title in English, followed by the original title in brackets. Credit the original author and translator (if known), using “by” for the original author and “translated by” for the translator. Cite the original year and city of publication, and the publisher of the original work.

Transliterating Book Titles in MLA: A Guide for Accuracy and Clarity

When embarking on the literary adventure of exploring translated books, referencing them accurately becomes essential. The esteemed MLA (Modern Language Association) style guide provides a roadmap for navigating this realm, ensuring precision in citing translated book titles.

Transcribing the Title: A Matter of Fidelity

When encountering a translated book, begin by identifying the title in italics. If the original language title is known, enclose it in square brackets immediately following the translated title. This dual notation preserves both the translation’s accessibility and the original work’s integrity.

In the Works Cited page, adhere to the same format. The book’s original title should appear in bold, followed by the translated title, also in bold. The year of publication, city of publication, and publisher complete the entry.

For example:

• Works Cited:
  • Turgenev, Ivan. Fathers and Sons. Translated by Richard Freeborn. New York: Vintage Books, 1994.

Acknowledging Authorship: A Symphony of Voices

Citing translated works entails recognizing both the original author and the translator’s contribution. Include the original author’s name in the in-text citation, followed by the translator’s name in parentheses.

In the Works Cited page, list the original author’s name first, followed by the translator’s name in parentheses.

Examples:

• In-text:
  • Turgenev (Freeborn) discusses the complexities of family relationships in Fathers and Sons.
• Works Cited:
  • Turgenev, Ivan. Fathers and Sons. Translated by Richard Freeborn. New York: Vintage Books, 1994.

Author: Crediting the Original and Translator

• Emphasize the importance of citing the original author and including the translator’s name if known.
• Provide examples of in-text and Works Cited entries for both scenarios.

Crediting the Original Author and Translator: Essential for MLA Citations

When citing a translated book in MLA style, it’s crucial to acknowledge the contributions of both the original author and the translator. This ensures accurate representation of the work and respects their respective roles.

In-Text Citations:

• If the translator’s name is known, use the following format: (Original Author, translated by Translator’s Last Name)
• If the translator’s name is unknown, simply mention the original author’s name: (Original Author)

Works Cited Entries:

• Include the original author’s name, followed by the translator’s name if known:
  • Original Author. Title of Translated Book. Translated by Translator’s Name. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

Examples:

In-Text Citation:

(García Márquez, translated by Gregory Rabassa)

Works Cited Entry:

One Hundred Years of Solitude. Translated by Gregory Rabassa. New York: Harper & Row, 2003.

In-Text Citation:

(Kafka)

Works Cited Entry:

Kafka, Franz. Metamorphosis. Translated by Stanley Corngold. New York: Bantam Books, 1972.

Importance of Acknowledging Both Parties:

Recognizing both the original author and the translator not only prevents plagiarism but also honors their unique contributions. The original author’s creativity and the translator’s skill in bridging linguistic barriers both deserve recognition. By following these guidelines, you can create accurate and comprehensive MLA citations that respect the rights of all creators involved.

Year of Publication: Capturing the Original Essence

When citing a translated book using MLA style, accurately identifying and citing the year of publication for the original work is crucial. This ensures proper attribution and conveys the authenticity of the source.

Determining the year of publication for the original work can be straightforward if it is explicitly stated within the translated text or on the copyright page. Simply transcribe the year you find.

However, in some instances, the original publication date might be elusive. If the translated version does not provide this information, you can attempt to consult reputable sources such as library catalogs or bibliographic databases to locate the original work and ascertain its publication year.

If all efforts to uncover the original publication date prove futile, you can use the abbreviation “n.d.” (meaning “no date“) in your citation. While this notation acknowledges the lack of a specific date, it still indicates that you have thoroughly searched for the necessary information.

City of Publication: Uncovering the Original Source’s Location

When citing a translated book in MLA style, it’s crucial to accurately include the city of publication for the original work. This helps establish the historical and geographical context of the original publication.

Oftentimes, you’ll find the city of publication stated explicitly on the original work’s title page or copyright page. For instance, if you’re citing a book originally published in Paris in 1950, you would include “Paris” as the city of publication in your citation.

However, there may be instances where the city of publication is not readily available. In such cases, it’s acceptable to use the abbreviation “n.p.” (meaning “no place”) in your citation. This indicates that the original city of publication is unknown or unavailable.

For example, if you’re referencing a translated book whose original publication details are scarce, you could write “n.p.” as the city of publication in your citation. By doing so, you’re acknowledging the original source despite the lack of specific location information.

Remember, accurately citing the city of publication not only fulfills MLA requirements but also provides valuable context for anyone interested in understanding the original work’s background and distribution.

Publisher: Acknowledging the Original Source

When citing a translated book in MLA, it is crucial to acknowledge the publisher of the original work. This information provides additional context and helps researchers locate the source material.

If the original publisher is known, be sure to include their name in the citation. For example, if the original publisher of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is “St. Petersburg: A.F. Marx,” cite it as follows:

Dostoevsky, Fyodor. *Crime and Punishment*. Translated by Constance Garnett, A.F. Marx, St. Petersburg, 1866.

However, sometimes the original publisher may be unknown. In such cases, use the abbreviation n.p. (no publisher) in the citation. For instance, if the original publisher of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is not specified, cite it as:

Kafka, Franz. *The Metamorphosis*. Translated by Stanley Corngold, n.p., 1915.

By including the original publisher’s name or using n.p. for unknown publishers, you are providing researchers with the necessary information to locate the original source of the translated text.