Using and citing non-English Language material and transliteration

WMG Guidance for Students on using and citing non-English Language material and transliteration

Students may choose to use foreign language sources in assessments and Projects. WMG do not wish to limit students to using only English-language sources which could exclude valuable research and introduce unintended bias, especially in disciplines where key literature is published in other languages. Students are allowed to refer, cite and quote from non-English sources as long as they provide an English translation and a reference in the reference list, enabling tutors and supervisors to request additional clarification if needed. If tutors and supervisors are unfamiliar with the language, it is important that any approach taken by the student remains proportionate and transparent in order to avoid poor translation.

Students should refer to the following links and guidance for WMG and the university:

WMG expectations for Written Work & Academic Integrity Referencing.
Library specific subject guides for WMG Referencing - WMG - Subject Guides at University of Warwick
Library guidance for Referencing at the University of Warwick Referencing - University of Warwick Library

Students may also find this online guide useful Foreign language material | Leeds Harvard referencing examples | Study and research support | Library | University of Leeds for citing non-English Language material which recommends transliterating titles.

Further Support

The Library The Library - University of Warwick will provide technical advice on how to cite non-English language material in a given style and have been widely promoting Cite Them Right, which is available via the Language Centre’s referencing LibGuide. It includes helpful examples of how to reference non-English sources, including when to treat translations as paraphrasing when they are using their own words to pass the idea they’ve read, and how to format titles in non-Roman scripts.

This would however always be underpinned by the need for students to check their department’s requirements on what they should be referencing (e.g. as to whether there is a requirement to provide tutors with a translation of this material, etc., or whether they are allowed to refer to it at all). There is always a risk that a student could either get the translation wrong, or finding the original source would be difficult if there is no official/published translation. As a result, the Library always refer the student/researcher back to their department’s policies. The following links provide useful information for refencing and citing non-English language sources: