Here anthea bell shares her top 10 favourite books in translation that she would recommend for children. The 20 most translated texts in history the content in this article is compiled from data and does not reflect ingco internationals opinions or views. They have revised it numerous times over the years. The most translated book in the world after the holy bible. To celebrate world book day weve created an infographic that takes a look at 50 of the world s most translated books, from the alchemist first. Here is a list of classics in translation from around the world, written in languages other than english, that have. The 20 most translated texts in history ingco international. Regardless of what you think of all the entries, if our want to understand the world around you and the people in it, reading these books cover to cover would be a good start. This proved true for the following 16 books, not all of which are widely popular per say, though they are loved by readers globally. Writer james chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book sold over the last 50 years he found.
Is the adventures of pinocchio or the little prince the most translated literacy work in the world. Apart from being the most translated book in the world, the bible also. The beloved children s tale of the little wooden boy has been translated into more than 260 languages since it was first published in 1883. With 469 translations, its easily the most translated text in human history. It is the dominant language of three g7 nations usa, uk and canada, and british legacy has given it a global footprint. However, unknown to many is that the number of bible translations varies depending. This is the most translated fictional book in the world. This is a list of literary works sorted by the number of languages they have been translated into. But for those looking for something useful for language learning, the bible can be a daunting resource.
Top 10 must read holy religious books in the world omg. Translated works and authors database at the unesco website 50 of the world s most translated books, infographic prepared by the translation company group full list of sources included the most translated authors in the world. Details written by randy fishell books, books, books. Paulo coelho wrote the bestselling novel, the alchemist, which sold 35 million copies and is the most translated book in the world by a living author. These are the most powerful languages in the world world. The little prince becomes worlds most translated book, excluding religious works. Most translated author, same book guinness world records. Writer james chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book.
The number of translations the books has had ranges from abkhaz to zulu. By the end of the 19th century, no book in english literary history had enjoyed more editions, spinoffs and translations. The latest version was published in 20 and minor revisions have taken place since then. Check out this slide show and you might just be surprised to see. One of the most beloved stories of all time can now be enjoyed by even more readers. Leaving religion aside, the most translated book in the world is pinocchio. Next to the bible and the bhagavad gita, the tao te ching is the most translated book in the world. Leaving religion aside, the most translated book in the world is pinocchio, by carlo collodi.
The alltime most popular books in the world revealed. Most translated doesnt necessarily mean the most read. The topic of the most translated book in the world is one which is often up for. Here is the list of top 10 must read holyreligious books in the world.
According to their data worlds top translated authors page on the. The most translated work in the history of the world is the christian bible. Stories history the 10 most expensive books of all time we live in a time when many people think that physical copies of books are outdated and simply unnecessary. The books contain newtons laws of motion and classic mechanics and is considered one of the most important books ever published in the history of science. Also, as the article pointed out, the organizations efforts can be viewed as mass proselytizing, based in the jehovahs witnesses belief that this good news of the kingdom must be preached in all the world before their apocalyptic vision of armageddon can take place. The worlds most mysterious book stephen bax youtube. One of the few science fiction books on the list, twenty thousand leagues under the sea tells the story of three visitors to a world under the. Table 2 lists the 10 most powerful languages according to the pli. Google translates 100 billion words each day, reveals top. Most translated book in the world is bible and the only indian book featured in the list is the tamil book thirukkural by. Crusoes world famous novel is a complex literary confection, and it. Rhapsody of realities is now in over 600 languages. The little prince is now the most translated book in the world, excluding religious works. Top ten translated books of all time optima translation.
The little prince, pinocchio and andersens fairy tales are the three most translated books in the world. When it was first spread it was it was interpreted through the use of daoist words and. The following are the most translated books in the world. But if these books are to be enjoyed all around the world they need to be translated into different languages first. At least one of its sixtysix books have been translated into over 3000 languages, the new testament into over 0 languages, and the entire work into more than 550 languages. The following are the most translated authors in the world. The number is far higher in other countries, but for the. Fortunately enough, there are more than enough people in the world who are convinced otherwise and willing to put a price on it. In celebration of a month replete with world literature, vulture has a roundup of 15 recent translations you should definitely read. In the united states, only about 3 percent of published texts are books in translation. It is widely spread to east asia and and is among the most translated wok in the history of world literature.
Unsurprisingly, childrens books and fairy tales dominate the list of the most translated books throughout history. Jehovahs witness bible new world translation of the. We have found and listed 20 of the most translated texts throughout history. Aside from the bible, with 475 translations for the whole bible and 112 translations for the quran, the most translated literary works are the wellknown classics, old and new.
Jehovahs witnesses bible is known as the new world translation of the holy scriptures. Deep inside yales beinecke rare book and manuscript library lies a 240 page tome. Here are my top 8 picks for foreign language reading materials, from childrens books to comics to fulllength classics. Are you looking for a book written in your target language. Check out our list of incredible translated novels to add to your shelf. Translations of universal declaration of human rights pass 500 geneva 2 november 2016. Today, the worlds most translated book is the bible. Weve reached the top three translated books of all time. Recently carbon dated to around 1420, its pages feature. The 5 most translated literary texts in the world day translations. As of june 2017, the series has been translated into 80 languages, placing harry potter among historys most translated literary works.
Here is a list of classics in translation from around the world, written in languages other than english, that have something to teach us about our fellow human beings. Mandarin, which ranks second, is only half as potent. Lots of em have been printed through the centuries, but you may be surprised about which ones have been translated the most. Google translates 100 billion words each day, reveals top 3 translated phrases. List of most translated individual authors list of bestselling books index translationum.
Thirukkural translations in different languages of the world. It has been translated into at least 24 languages and probably more. The little prince is now the mosttranslated book in the. The most translated books in human history quicksilver translate. A book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
The good thing is that most popular books are translated into other languages, to increase their readership and make more readers appreciate them across continents. One of the most rewarding parts of literature is knowing that, even if you fall in love with an authors story and it is not available in your foreign language, there is still a generous chance that the book will one day be printed in your native tongue. Pilgrims progress, alice in wonderland, and twenty thousand leagues under the sea are all in the list, just not displayed prominently. The chinese claim that their classic tao te ching by lao tzu is the world s most translated book. Books with the most translations worldwide 2015 statista. Discover the most tranlated books in the human history. It is the oldest religious text in known existence. Theres nothing wrong with that, of course, but why not pick up a book in translation now and then, and why not try a book from the past.
The source describes it as an infographic that takes a look at 50 of the worlds most translated books, not the fifty most translated books. Top 20 mosttranslated books of all time by randy fishell. The universal declaration of human rights, already the world s most translated document, is now available in more than 500 translations with the addition of north bolivian quechua to the collection. The graph presents data on most translated books in the world as of 2015. The worlds most translated books the translation company. According to ingco international, a translation agency, the most translated book in the world is the bible. The first novel in the series, harry potter and the philosophers stone, has sold in excess of 120 million copies, making it one of the bestselling books of all time. C and its english translation was done around 19th century. Top 10 books for children in translation childrens. All of his books are international successes, leading the way the alchemist of it as the most translated book in the world and also qualified for the guinness book of world. Most translated books best, greatest of everything. List of literary works by number of translations wikipedia. Without doubt, the bible is the most translated book ever.
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