How to Cite a Translated Book in APA Style
Citing Translated Works in APA 7th Edition
To cite a translated book in APA style, credit the original author first, followed by the translation year. Include the translator's name in parentheses after the italicized book title. Finally, add the publisher and a note containing the original publication year. In-text citations must list both the original and translation dates.
Step 1: List the Author and Translation Year
Begin your reference list entry with the original author's last name and initials. Do not use the translator's name in the author position. Following the author, place the year of publication for the specific translated edition you are reading in parentheses. If you are using a 2021 English translation of a book originally written in 1950, you will use 2021 at the start of the citation. This ensures that readers can find the exact version of the text you consulted.
Step 2: Format the Title and Translator Information
Write the book title in sentence case and italics. Immediately after the title, add the translator's name in parentheses. Use the format: (Initial. Last Name, Trans.). Note that the "T" in Trans. is capitalized and followed by a period. Do not italicize the parentheses or the translator's name. This credit acknowledges that the words you are quoting are the work of the translator, even though the ideas belong to the original author.
Step 3: Provide Publisher and Original Date
Enter the name of the publisher of the translated work. After the publisher, you must include the original year of publication to provide historical context. This is formatted as (Original work published 1890) and placed at the very end of the reference entry. No period follows this final set of parentheses. This dual-dating system is a unique requirement for translated works in APA 7th edition.
Step 4: Create the In-Text Citation
When citing the work within your essay, you must include both years separated by a forward slash. Place the original year first, followed by the translation year. This format applies to both parenthetical and narrative citations. If you are quoting a specific passage, include the page number from the translated edition you are using. This allows the reader to see the timeline of the work's existence across different languages.
Example: Reference List and In-Text Citation
### Reference List Entry `Foucault, M. (1995). Discipline and punish: The birth of the prison (A. Sheridan, Trans.). Vintage Books. (Original work published 1975)` ### In-Text Citations **Parenthetical:** `The prison system functions as a mechanism of social control (Foucault, 1975/1995).` **Narrative:** `Foucault (1975/1995) argues that modern society mirrors the structure of a panopticon.`
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Crediting the translator as the author: Always place the original writer in the author position. The translator belongs in parentheses after the title.
- Missing the original date: Forgetting the (Original work published Year) note at the end of the reference is a common APA 7 error.
- Incorrect in-text dates: Do not use only the translation year in your in-text citations. APA requires the
(Author, Original Year/Translation Year)format. - Italicizing the translator: Only the book title should be in italics. The parentheses and the translator's name remain in standard font.
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