How to Cite Reprinted and Translated Works
Reprinted and translated works require special citation formats to acknowledge both the original publication and the version you used. This guide covers all scenarios in APA, MLA, and Chicago citation styles.
Understanding Reprints vs. Translations
Reprinted Works
A reprinted work is a book or article republished after its original publication, often by a different publisher or in a different format. Reprints maintain the original text but may have new introductions, pagination, or formatting.
Translated Works
A translated work is a source originally written in one language and published in another language by a translator. You must credit both the original author and the translator in your citation.
Why Both Dates Matter
For reprinted works, including both the original and reprint dates helps readers understand the historical context and locate the specific edition you used. For translated works, acknowledging the translator gives proper credit and helps readers find the same translation.
Citing Reprinted Works
APA Style: Reprinted Books
In APA 7th edition, include both the original publication date and the reprint date. The format is: (Original work published [year])
Reference list:
Freud, S. (2010). The interpretation of dreams (J. Strachey, Trans.). Basic Books. (Original work published 1900)
In-text citation (first mention):
(Freud, 1900/2010)
In-text citation (subsequent mentions):
(Freud, 1900/2010)
Reprinted Article from Anthology
Reference list:
Miller, G. A. (2010). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. In D. A. Balota & E. J. Marsh (Eds.), Cognitive psychology: Key readings (pp. 203-225). Psychology Press. (Reprinted from "The Psychological Review," 1956, Vol. 63, pp. 81-97)
In-text citation:
(Miller, 1956/2010)
MLA Style: Reprinted Books
MLA 9th edition uses "1st ed." format to indicate the original publication date and publisher.
Works cited:
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 1818. Penguin Classics, 2003.
In-text citation:
(Shelley 45)
Essay Reprinted in Anthology
Works cited:
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Self-Reliance." The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Robert S. Levine, 9th ed., vol. B, Norton, 2017, pp. 1164-81. Originally published 1841.
In-text citation:
(Emerson 1165)
Chicago Style: Reprinted Books
Chicago style provides detailed formats for reprinted works in both notes-bibliography and author-date systems.
Footnote/Endnote:
1. George Orwell, 1984 (London: Secker & Warburg, 1949; repr., New York: Penguin Books, 2003), 45.
Bibliography:
Orwell, George. 1984. London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. Reprint, New York: Penguin Books, 2003.
Citing Translated Works
APA Style: Translated Books
Include the translator's name after the book title, followed by "Trans." in parentheses. The original publication date goes at the end if known.
Reference list:
García Márquez, G. (2006). One hundred years of solitude (G. Rabassa, Trans.). Harper Perennial Modern Classics. (Original work published 1967)
In-text citation:
(García Márquez, 1967/2006)
Translated Article
Reference list:
Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children (M. Cook, Trans.). International Universities Press. (Original work published 1936)
In-text citation:
(Piaget, 1936/1952)
MLA Style: Translated Books
MLA requires the translator's name before the publisher, preceded by "translated by."
Works cited:
Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Translated by Matthew Ward, Vintage International, 1989.
In-text citation:
(Camus 23)
Translated Work with Editor
Works cited:
Borges, Jorge Luis. Collected Fictions. Translated by Andrew Hurley, edited by Viking Penguin, 1998.
In-text citation:
(Borges 156)
Chicago Style: Translated Books
Footnote/Endnote:
2. Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, trans. Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky (New York: Vintage Classics, 2007), 234.
Bibliography:
Tolstoy, Leo. War and Peace. Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. New York: Vintage Classics, 2007.
Citing Both Reprinted AND Translated Works
Some works are both translated and reprinted. Include information about both the translation and the reprint.
APA Example
Reference list:
Dostoevsky, F. (2003). Crime and punishment (C. Garnett, Trans.). Dover Publications. (Original work published 1866)
In-text citation:
(Dostoevsky, 1866/2003)
MLA Example
Works cited:
Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. 1915. Translated by Susan Bernofsky, Norton, 2014.
In-text citation:
(Kafka 12)
Special Cases
Ancient or Classical Works
For ancient texts (Bible, Greek classics, etc.), cite by standard divisions (book, chapter, verse) rather than page numbers.
APA in-text citation:
(Homer, trans. 1990, Book 9, line 119)
MLA in-text citation:
(Homer 9.119)
Unknown Original Publication Date
If the original publication date is unknown but the work is clearly older, use "n.d." or simply cite the translation date.
APA example:
Author. (2020). Title (Translator, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published n.d.)
Multiple Translators
When a work has multiple translators, list all their names following your citation style's rules for multiple authors.
APA example:
Author. (2024). Title (A. Translator & B. Translator, Trans.). Publisher.
Edited and Translated Collections
For collections that are both edited and translated, include both the editor and translator information.
MLA example:
Author. Title. Edited by Editor Name, translated by Translator Name, Publisher, Year.
Quick Reference Table
| Type | APA In-Text | MLA In-Text | Key Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reprinted Work | (Author, 1900/2020) | (Author 45) | Both dates needed |
| Translated Work | (Author, 1950/2020) | (Author 23) | Credit translator |
| Both | (Author, 1900/2020) | (Author 34) | Include all info |
Why Citing Reprints and Translations Matters
- Intellectual honesty - Credits both original author and translator
- Historical context - Shows when work was originally created
- Source verification - Readers can find your specific edition
- Translation differences - Different translations may vary significantly
- Scholarly standards - Demonstrates attention to bibliographic detail
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Citing only the reprint date - Include original date when known
- Forgetting to credit the translator - Translators deserve attribution
- Using the wrong date in in-text citations - APA requires original/reprint format
- Omitting "Trans." or "Translated by" - Make the translator's role clear
- Not checking for original publication date - Look in the copyright page
- Confusing editor with translator - These are different roles
Finding Original Publication Information
To find original publication dates and translator information:
- Copyright page - Usually contains original publication date
- Title page - Lists translator and current publisher
- Preface or introduction - Often mentions publication history
- Publisher's website - Provides full bibliographic details
- Library catalog - Shows publication history
- WorldCat or similar databases - Lists all editions and translations
Best Practices
- Always check the copyright page for original publication information
- Include translator names exactly as they appear in the book
- Use both dates in APA in-text citations (original/reprint)
- For MLA, cite the edition you actually used while noting original date
- Be consistent with date format throughout your reference list
- When in doubt, include more information rather than less
Automatic Translation and Reprint Detection
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