Republished Translated Chapter in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 10/09/2024

Citing a chapter from an edited book that has been republished in translation requires attention to detail and a precise understanding of the structure. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style emphasizes the need to acknowledge both the original author and the translator, along with the details of the edited volume in which the chapter appears. 

In this guide, we will outline how to cite a translated chapter from a republished book following MLA format, ensuring that each element is properly addressed.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CITATION

Before diving into the structure, it is essential to understand the specific components involved in citing a chapter in translation. These include:

• Chapter Author: Begin with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and their first name or initials. For two authors, list the first author, then “and” before the second. For three or more authors, use the first author’s name and “et al.” For organizations, write the full name without abbreviations.
• Chapter Title: The title of the chapter in quotation marks, capitalizing major words according to MLA capitalization rules.
• Translator: The individual responsible for translating the text into the language of the republished book.
• Book Title: The title of the entire book in italics, followed by details of the editor(s) of the volume.
• Original Publication Date: The year when the chapter was originally published.
• Version: If applicable, the edition of the republished book, such as “2nd ed.” or “rev. ed.”
• Publisher: The name of the publisher that released the republished version of the book.
• Re-publication Date: The year when the translated version of the book was republished.
• Page Range: The range of pages in which the chapter appears in the edited volume.
• DOI or URL: If the book is available online, include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL for the specific chapter or the book.

COMPLETE CITATION EXAMPLE

Use Consistent Formatting: Ensure that all elements of the citation are consistently formatted. This includes italicizing the book title, using quotation marks for the chapter title, and maintaining the same font style throughout. Consistency enhances readability and professionalism in your work. Be Mindful of Language Variations: If the original text was written in a language that differs from the language of the translation, ensure that the translator’s name and other bibliographic details are accurate and reflect the correct language conventions. This is particularly important when citing works from authors who may have non-Western names. Verify Online Availability: Before finalizing your citation, check if the chapter is available online through a reputable source. If so, include the DOI or a stable URL at the end of the citation. This not only adds credibility but also helps readers locate the source more easily. Pay Attention to Publication Details: Ensure that you accurately record all publication details, including the original publication date and the re-publication date. These dates are crucial for understanding the context of the chapter’s translation and its historical significance. If the book has undergone revisions or updates in the republished edition, make sure to note this in the citation, as it may affect the interpretation of the text. Use Title Case for Titles: When citing titles, ensure you apply title case, which means capitalizing the first and last words of the title, as well as all major words in between. This includes nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions (e.g., “because,” “although”). Minor words, such as articles (a, an, the), prepositions (in, on, of), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or) should be lowercase unless they are the first or last words of the title.