Translating books into different languages is important because it helps people from different places understand each other better. When books are translated, more people can read and enjoy them, even if they don’t speak the same language. This makes the world feel smaller and more connected. Translations also bring fresh stories and ideas to new audiences, making literature more exciting and diverse. Plus, translating books can help preserve languages that might be disappearing, ensuring that their culture and knowledge live on. So, translating books isn’t just about words; it’s a way to build bridges between cultures and celebrate our shared human experiences. The online language learning provider Preply released a map that beautifully reports The Most Translated Books in the World. We have broken it down below. Have at it and let us know your thoughts.
Africa
South America
There are several challenges to translating books into different languages, though. One big challenge is that words don’t always have direct equivalents in different languages, so translators need to find the right words to capture the original meaning and feeling of the book. Also, books often have cultural references that may not make sense in another culture, so translators have to figure out how to explain those things. It can be tough to keep the same tone and style of the author while making the book understandable in a new language. Plus, translating takes time and skill, so finding good translators and paying them fairly can be a challenge too. Despite these difficulties, translation is important because it brings the world closer together and lets people from different places share their stories and ideas.
Asia
North America
Europe
Oceania
World
Here are the top 10 most translated books per country:
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (382+ languages) – France
- The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (300+ languages) – Italy
- Alice’s adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol (175+ languages) – England
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen (160+ languages) –Denmark
- Testament by Taras Shevchenko (150+ languages) – Ukraine
- The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes (140+ languages) – Spain
- The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard (112+ languages) – United States
- The Adventures of Tintin by Georges Prosper Remi (93+ languages) – Belgium
- The Tragedy of Man by Imre Madách (90+ languages) – Hungary
- 10.The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo (80+ languages) – Brazil
Ranking by continent:
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (382+ languages) – Europe
- The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard (112+ languages) – North America
- The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo (80+ languages) – South America
- The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (63+languages) – Africa
- Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda (50+ languages) – Asia
- The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (20+ languages) – Oceania
