If I am writing a paper in a foreign language and my works-cited list contains works in more than one language, should labels such as “edited by” be given in the foreign language or in English? Also, should the works-cited-list entry be punctuated according to the rules of the foreign language?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.

The language that you use to describe elements in your works-cited list should be the language that your paper is written in, which should also determine the punctuation used.

In other words, if your paper is in Spanish but you cite a work published in English in the works-cited list, use “editado por” instead of “edited by” and follow the rules of Spanish punctuation.