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How should foreign words or nouns be marked in the text when quoted?

October 30, 2025
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Foreign words or nouns quoted in academic text should typically be italicized to denote their non-native status. Standard English dictionary terms are generally exempt from this formatting. The key principle is consistent visual distinction from the main text through italics. Isolated foreign terms warrant italics, while entire foreign sentences usually appear in quotation marks without italics. Provide translations in parentheses immediately after the first occurrence. For languages not using the Latin alphabet, employ accepted transliteration systems (e.g., pinyin for Chinese). This convention enhances reading clarity and scholarly precision, preventing confusion when analyzing concepts from different linguistic traditions (e.g., citing Hegel's *Geist* or Weber's *Herrschaft*). Italics aid readers in identifying terminology essential to discourse while translations support comprehension. Adherence to institutional style guides ensures disciplinary consistency.
How should foreign words or nouns be marked in the text when quoted?
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