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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Works in Another Language / Translations

Works in Another Language / Translations

Note: The following citation examples are OWHL recommendations. Check with your teacher if you're planning to translate and cite sources written in another language.

 

Using Your Own Translations / Translations Generated by Apps

 

Works Cited List Citation

If you're citing a work that is in another language, follow the citation rules for the type of source that you're using (e.g., article from a website).

Example

Landry, Angie. "Les risques de s’autodiagnostiquer un trouble de santé mentale avec les réseaux sociaux." Radio-Canada, 18 Aug. 2022, ici.radio-canada.ca/recit-numerique/4500/autodiagnostic-reseaux-sociaux-sante-mentale.

Note: In the example, the title follows capitalization rules for the French language.

In-Text Citation

If you've translated a quote yourself or by using an app (e.g., Google Translate), include the following in your in-text citation: quote in the original language, a note about the translation, the author's last name(s), and page number (if available). 

Example

This is "my translation of a quote from an article that's written in another language" ("original quote"; my trans.; Landry).

This is "a generated translation of a quote from an article that's written in another language" ("original quote"; Google Translate trans.; Landry).

Republished Translations of Works

 

Works Cited List Citation

If you're referring to a work written in another language which has been republished in English, cite the English version of the work.

Remember to follow the citation template for the type of source that you're using. In your citation, include the translator's name after the title.

Example

Murakami, Haruki. Norwegian Wood. Translated by Jay Rubin, Vintage International, 2000.

In-Text Citation

Follow the in-text citation template for the type of source that you're using. 

Example

(Murakami 77)