A closer look at the most translated books in the world

As many might know, the Bible is the most translated book ever with more than 2,500 translations. However, there is an interesting list of books that follow. Here is a look at the five most translated literary works in the world and how Teneo Linguistics Company provides professional writing and editing services. 

Here is the ranking of the most translated books.

1. The Bible

In total, portions of the Bible have been translated into more than 3,000 languages. As of 2020, the Bible in its entirety has been translated into 704 languages; the New Testament, 1,551 languages; and portions of biblical stories, 1,160 other languages. 

The earliest translation of the Bible was from Hebrew to Old Greek in about 250 B.C. The translations were done for the Greek-speaking Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt.

The first English translation of the book was produced in 1535.

2. The Little Prince

The Little Prince or Le Petit by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was first published in English and French in 1943. The book tells the story of a little prince from a tiny planet who travels the universe seeking wisdom. The story addresses the themes of loneliness, sadness, and friendship. 

The book has been translated into more than 380 languages. The Little Prince sold 140 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling translated works ever. 

3. The Adventures of Pinocchio

The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, started as a piece called The Story of a Puppet in an Italian children’s magazine in 1881. Due to its popularity, the story was published as a book in 1883.

Pinocchio has been translated into about 300 languages and it is considered the most translated Italian book. 

4. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

English author Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in 1865 and since has been translated into about 175 languages. The first reported translations of the book were done in French and German in 1869.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, the book has been a particularly difficult one the successfully translate over the years with its many puns. The mad tea party scene, which is filled with parody, puns, nonsense, and linguistic jokes is really a test of a good translator’s skills. 

5. Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales and Stories

The collection of fairy tales by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen was first published in 1835 and his 156 stories have been translated into about 160 languages. The series included famous works such as The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Andersen’s book was first translated from Danish to English in 1846.

While the top translated literary works change slightly depending on where you look, others that have been included in lists over time are The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and The Adventures of Tintin by Georges Prosper Remi.

Writing doesn’t come naturally to just anyone. Teneo Linguistics Company hires individuals with doctorates in writing studies and/or teaches professional writing at the university level to offer editing and writing services.

At TLC, our experts will prepare content for a streamlined and effective translation process, develop original content that engages target audiences, and edit for optimized American English to ensure effective communication.

These services can be provided for:

• Web copy/articles
• Blogs
• Newsletters
• Brochures
• Surveys
• Sales sheets
• Marketing collateral
• Social media posts
• Training materials
• Internal communication
• Company policies
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Mission statements

However, TLC is happy to review any project needing editing or writing services. Review and get a quote today by visiting www.tlctranslation.com.