Accurately crediting sources is fundamental to academic integrity, and this extends to works that have been rendered from one language to another. When referencing a work originally published in a different language, specific bibliographic elements must be included to acknowledge both the original author and the translator. A typical citation includes the author’s name, the title of the book, the translator’s name, and the publication information of the translated edition. For example: Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Translated by Constance Garnett. William Heinemann, 1914.
Proper attribution of translated works serves multiple purposes. It acknowledges the intellectual contribution of both the original author and the translator, recognizing the translator’s role in making the work accessible to a new audience. Furthermore, it provides clarity for readers who may wish to consult the original text or compare different translations. Omitting translation details can obscure the origin of the ideas and misrepresent the work’s intellectual history. The practice has evolved alongside increased cross-cultural communication and the growing accessibility of literature in diverse languages, reinforcing scholarly rigor and transparency.