What information should I include for a translated work?

Include the original author, translated title, translator name, publication year, and publisher.

Should I cite the original author or translator?

Always cite the original author first, with translator information noted in the citation.

Do I need to include the original publication date?

Include the original publication year if significantly different from the translation date.

How to Cite a Translated Work in MLA Format

Understanding Translated Work Citations in MLA Format

Translated works are texts originally written in one language that have been translated into another. These sources are invaluable for accessing literature and scholarship beyond English. Proper citation of translated works acknowledges both the original author and the translator’s contribution.

MLA format for translated works includes the original author, translated title, translator information, publication year, and publisher. The citation format makes clear that you consulted a translation rather than the original language version.

MLA Format for Translated Books

Original Author Last Name, First Name. Translated Title. Translated by Translator First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year.

Example:

Márquez, Gabriel García. *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. Translated by Gregory Rabassa, Harper and Row, 1970.

Detailed Citation Elements

Original Author Name

Always use the original author’s name as it appears in the translated work.

Title in Translation

Use the English translated title in italics, following the title capitalization of the translated version.

Translator Information

Include “Translated by” followed by the translator’s full name.

Publisher and Year

Include the publisher and year of the translation you’re using.

Original Publication Date (optional)

For significant gaps between original and translation, note the original date if relevant.

Detailed Examples

Translated Novel

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. *Crime and Punishment*. Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, Vintage Books, 1992.

Translated Poetry Collection

Baudelaire, Charles. *The Flowers of Evil*. Translated by William Aggeler, Dover Publications, 1992.

Translated Academic Text

Foucault, Michel. *The Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences*. Translated by Alan Sheridan, Pantheon Books, 1970.

Translated Drama

Chekhov, Anton. *The Cherry Orchard*. Translated by Ann Jellicoe, Penguin Books, 1965.

In-Text Citations for Translated Works

Use the original author’s name and page number:

(Márquez 100)

Or with the original publication date if relevant:

(Márquez [1967] 1970, p. 100)

Multiple Translations of the Same Work

When multiple translations exist, specify which translation you used:

Cervantes, Miguel de. *Don Quixote*. Translated by Samuel Putnam, Viking Press, 1949.

Cervantes, Miguel de. *Don Quixote*. Translated by John Ormsby, Penguin Classics, 2003.

Special Cases in Translated Work Citation

Translated Work with Editor

Kafka, Franz. *The Complete Short Stories*. Translated by Willa Muir and Edwin Muir, edited by Nahum N. Glatzer, Schocken Books, 1971.

Translated Article in Journal

Sartre, Jean-Paul. "Existentialism is a Humanism." *Philosophical Review*, translated by Bernard Frechtman, vol. 90, no. 1, 1981, pp. 45-67.

Translated Work from Anthology

García Márquez, Gabriel. "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings." *Latin American Literature: Voices and Visions*, translated by Gregory Rabassa, edited by Elena Poniatowska, Penguin Classics, 2015, pp. 67-76.

Using GenText for Translated Work Management

Managing citations for translated works across multiple languages requires attention to detail. GenText helps by:

Formatting translated work citations in proper MLA style
Tracking original and translator names
Organizing by original language or publication year
Managing multiple translations of the same work
Converting between citation styles
Generating works cited entries
Maintaining translator credit and attribution

Common Mistakes with Translated Work Citations

Using translator name as author: The original author always appears first.
Omitting translator information: Always include “Translated by” and the translator’s name.
Confusing title translations: Use the English title as it appears on the translation you’re using.
Incorrect publication information: Use details from the translation edition you consulted.
Missing capitalization for translator name: Use full name with proper capitalization.

Checklist for Translated Work Citations

Original author name appears first
Translated title is italicized
Translator name is included with “Translated by”
Publisher name is correct
Publication year is from the translation edition
Original publication date is noted if relevant
Translator’s full name is spelled correctly
Punctuation follows MLA format

Finding and Verifying Translation Information

To gather citation information for translated works:

Check the title page for translator credit
Verify the copyright date of the translation
Note the translator’s full name and spelling
Confirm the publisher of the translation
Check for multiple translation editions available

Understanding Translation Choices

Different translators may approach translation differently:

Literal translations: Word-for-word translation maintaining original style
Free translations: Emphasis on meaning and readability
Annotated translations: Include explanatory notes and context
Scholarly translations: Include critical apparatus and detailed commentary

Choosing which translation to use depends on your research needs and the translation’s reputation in the field.

Translated works expand the scope of academic research globally. Proper citation acknowledges the translator’s intellectual contribution and helps readers engage with the specific translation you consulted.