To cite translation tools like Google Translate, DeepL, or ChatGPT, you should generally treat the software as the author or creator, including the name of the tool, the developer, the year, and a brief description of the translation process in your reference list.
As machine translation and artificial intelligence become standard in academic research, properly attributing these tools is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. Because translation software cannot take moral responsibility for its output, major style guides have evolved to treat them as non-human software or algorithms.
Here is how to properly format your citations across the most common academic style guides.
APA Style (7th Edition)
APA guidelines treat translation algorithms and AI generators as software. You should provide the company as the author and include a bracketed description of the tool.
- In-text citation: (Google, 2023) or (OpenAI, 2023)
- Reference list format: Company Name. (Year). Name of tool (Version) [Translation software / Large language model]. URL
- Example: Google. (2023). Google Translate [Translation software]. https://translate.google.com
Note: If you are using an AI tool like ChatGPT to translate a specific prompt, APA recommends including the prompt text in your methodology section or as an appendix.
MLA Style (9th Edition)
MLA focuses heavily on the specific input or text you are translating, treating the tool as a container for that translation.
- In-text citation: ("Shortened original text" or Tool Name)
- Reference list format: "Original text or prompt." Name of Tool, version, Company, Date of translation, URL.
- Example: "El impacto del cambio climático." DeepL, DeepL SE, 15 Oct. 2023, www.deepl.com.
Chicago Style (17th Edition)
The Chicago Manual of Style generally recommends acknowledging AI and translation tools in the main text or in a footnote rather than including them in your formal bibliography.
- In-text mention: "The original French text was translated to English using DeepL..."
- Footnote format: 1. Text translated from French to English using Google Translate, November 2, 2023, https://translate.google.com.
Best Practices for Researchers
When using translation tools for literature reviews or data analysis, transparency is key. Always mention the specific tool and version you used in your methodology section so your process is reproducible. If you are constantly switching tabs to read foreign papers, WisPaper's AI Copilot translates full papers directly within your reading canvas, helping you understand complex international research without the friction of external copy-pasting.
Finally, remember that automated translations can miss academic nuances or field-specific jargon. It is always best practice to verify translated quotes with a native speaker or a subject matter expert before publishing your final manuscript.
