The prefatory material written by a translator for a translated work offers crucial context and insight. Properly attributing this content acknowledges the translator’s contribution and prevents plagiarism. Citation typically involves referencing the translator’s name, the title of the introduction (if applicable), the title of the translated work, the editor or author of the original work, and the publication details. For example: (Translator’s Last Name, Year, p. x), where p. x denotes the page number of the introduction within the translated work.
Acknowledging the translator’s introduction is essential for several reasons. It gives credit to the intellectual labor involved in contextualizing the original text for a new audience. The introduction often provides valuable background information about the author, the work’s historical context, and the translator’s choices and rationale, enriching the reader’s understanding. Failing to cite appropriately can misrepresent the source of these insights and undermine academic integrity. The practice of including translators’ introductions gained prominence alongside the increasing recognition of translation as a significant interpretive act, not merely a mechanical rendering of text.
