Edited Book Chapter in Another Language

Citing a chapter from an edited book written in another language follows the same principles as citing chapters in English-language texts, with some adjustments for language specifics. Using the APA (7th edition) format, the primary goal is to ensure that all elements are included accurately while taking into account the different linguistic and structural elements of the text being cited. 

Here are the key steps and components involved in citing a chapter in an edited book written in another language using APA style.

STRUCTURE ELEMENTS OF THE CITATION

  • Chapter Author(s): Begin the reference by listing the author(s) of the chapter. The last name comes first, followed by the initials. If there are multiple authors, list them with commas separating each author, and use an ampersand (&) before the final author’s name. When the author of the chapter is an organization, the organization’s full name is listed as the author. 
  • Year of Publication: The year the book was published is included in parentheses.
  • Title of the Chapter: The title of the chapter is written in sentence case (capitalize only the first word and any proper nouns), and if the original chapter is in another language, the translated title is placed in square brackets immediately after the original title.
  • In: This word is followed by the details of the editor(s) and the title of the book.
  • Editor(s): Editors are listed by their initials first and then their surname(s), with an ampersand (&) before the last editor if there is more than one.
  • Book Title: The book title is italicized and written in sentence case.
  • Edition/Volume: If the book is not the first edition or includes multiple volumes, this should be indicated.
  • Pages Extends: The page range of the chapter is included in parentheses after the book title or edition details.
  • Publisher: The name of the publisher is provided.
  • DOI or URL: Include a DOI or URL if available.

EXAMPLE CITATION

Citation
Martínez, F. (2024). Estrategias cognitivas en el aprendizaje infantil [Cognitive strategies in childhood learning]. In M. Hernández, & A. Morales (Eds.), Desarrollo y educación en la primera infancia (pp. 45–63). Editorial Educativa Internacional. https://doi.org/10.72430/abnrty49345
Structure
Chapter Author Surname, Chapter Author Initial. (Year). Chapter title [Translated chapter title]. In Editor 1 Initial. Editor 1 Surname, & Final Editor Initial. Final Editor Surname (Eds.), Book title (pp. x–x). Publisher. https://doi

Always use the original language for the title of the chapter and book: When citing a chapter from an edited book written in a language other than English, APA requires that the original title of both the chapter and the book be used, regardless of the citation’s language. The chapter title should be presented in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. The book title should also be written in its original language. Do not translate either unless specified by a different citation style. This ensures accuracy and respects the work’s original language and context.

Add translation of the title in brackets: If the chapter title is in a language unfamiliar to the intended audience, it can be helpful to include a translation of the title in square brackets immediately following the original title. The translation should provide a clear understanding of the content while respecting the integrity of the original title. This is particularly useful when citing sources for a diverse audience.

Italicize the book title but not the chapter title or publisher: The chapter title should not be italicized. It appears in regular typeface following APA style conventions. However, the book title is italicized and written in sentence case, where only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. Italicizing the book title distinguishes it from the chapter title. The publisher’s name, listed after the page range, should also not be italicized or enclosed in any additional formatting.

Provide the DOI or URL if available for easy access: A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL should be provided at the end of the citation if available. The DOI is a unique identifier for the electronic version of the book and allows for easy access to the source. If a DOI is not available, a stable URL can be provided instead. Including this information ensures that readers can easily locate the source online, which is particularly useful for academic referencing.

Always include the page range of the chapter in parentheses after the book title: After listing the book title, always include the page range of the chapter in parentheses to show where the chapter appears in the book. This detail is essential for readers who wish to locate the specific chapter within the edited volume. The page range is presented as “pp.” followed by the starting and ending page numbers, with a hyphen between them. Ensure the page numbers are accurate, as this helps maintain the integrity of the citation.

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Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)

Hannah Berry has lectured at several colleges and teaches at the WEA. Besides publishing extensively, she has taught citation skills and written multiple style guides.

Learn how to cite in APA