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10 Most Translated Books in the World

By: Antonia Ava Posted on Thu, 31-12-2020

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Translation holds great importance in the world. It helps to spread knowledge to the people that cannot understand your language. The masterpieces of renowned scholars who have done work in literature, science, and other fields are not restricted to their language alone. Their books are translated into several languages so that people can get the advantage of their work.

Let’s have a look at the 10 most translated books in the world.

The Little Prince

The little prince is a famous children's book written by Saint-Exupery. The story is about a pilot who is stuck in the desert. He becomes a little prince who explores the planets.  In 2014, 140 million copies of the book were sold and around two million copies are sold annually. This story originated in French and is translated into 300 plus languages.

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Pinocchio is a novel for children written by Carlo Collodi. It was published in 1883 and is translated into 300 languages. The story revolves around a marionette called Pinocchio and his father, who is a poor woodcarver called Geppetto. This book was the center of attention for many years. This story is the source of inspiration for many and is scheduled for a movie in 2021.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Alice Adventure in Wonderland was published in 1865, and it has captivated the readers for years. While reading Alice's adventure, people come across many characters like the Cheshire cat, the March hare, the mad hatter, and the queen of hearts. It was translated from English into 174 languages.

Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Andersen’s Fairy Tales is a favorite of many moviegoers and readers. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen. These fairy tales include interesting tales of the Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid. These were published in 1837. Many dramas and movies are based on these tales. Andersen's fairy tale was translated into 160 languages.

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the sea was written by Jules Verne. It was originally written by a French writer. The story is about captain Nemo and his submarine. In the tale, three men accompany Nemo on their journey, but they get lost to Atlantis, the red sea, and the South Pole. This book has been translated into 148 languages.

Don Quixote

Don Quixote is a much-demanded novel written by Miguel Cervantes. It is published in two parts. The first part was published in 1605, and the second one was published in 1615. The novel is related to the adventures of Alonso Quixano. It was a person who lost his mind after reading many love stories and decided to become a Knight-errant with the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. This book is translated from Spanish into 145 languages.

The Adventures of Tintin

The adventure of Tintin was famous before people knew about comics. It is a Franco-Belgian series that tells the story of the escapades of Tintin and his dog, who went traveling to various countries. This adventure relates to the adventures of Gaulish warriors. This book is translated into 115 languages.

The Adventures of Asterix

The adventure by Asterix by Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Jean-Yves Ferri is a Franco-Belgian comic series. It is translated into 115 languages. The series is about the adventures of Gaulish warriors who fought the battle of the Roman Empire in the period of Julius Caesar.

Pippi Longstocking

The Pippi Longstocking has seen great success. Written by Astrid Lindgren, the novel consists of three books containing three stories and a graphic display. The story revolves around a young girl who has freckles and red hair and possesses superhuman strength. This book was published from 1945 to 1948 and was translated from Swedish into 76 languages.

Kon-Tiki Ekspedisjonen

Kon-Tiki Ekspedisjonen is a book written by Thor Heyerdahl. It is not the beloved book of children and not the course of literature. This book is translated into almost 70 languages. It is about the true story of Thor Heyerdahl’s traveling experience from Peru to Polynesia. Heyerdahl took this trip to prove that Polynesia had been settled by South Americans who sailed to show old civilization. This book became a best-seller, but it is lesser-known today.

Which book is the most translated book

Excluding religious books, The Little Prince is the most translated book in the world. It has taken position over Pinocchio, which is the world's most famous fiction series.  In the case of children's books, Pinocchio is the second-most translated book in the world. It is translated into 300 languages. This original Italian novel has fascinated Disney fans and the young generation around the world.

Why Novels are Translated More

Only two comics, the adventure of Asterix and Tintin are exempted from the list of most translated books because all the books mentioned above are novels or stories. The reason is that they are easy to read and comprehend. They can convey a precise message. Novels are one of the best forms of entertainment that is why they are distributed more widely than other written essays and non-fiction work.

Wrapping Up:

Besides these books, several different books have been translated into different languages but they didn't get global recognition. Translation of books is a productive activity and it helps in transferring knowledge in different parts of the world.

In case you need translation for novels, books, or any other documents, Mars Translation is your go-to choice. Contact us now and get a quote for free!

Read More: 10 Best Books to learn Spanish