10 of the Most Translated Books to Recommend to Students
On some level, the students we tutor have an interest in learning about the world beyond what is familiar to them. In addition to language study, reading books is a fantastic way for them to get a glimpse into cultures and ways of life very different from their own.
For those students who want to practice their English while also enjoying classic literature from around the globe, this article will introduce some of the most translated books in the world based on their country of origin.
Because of their popularity, it is possible your students have read one or more of them before. If not, this is a great chance for them to open their minds to new stories and perspectives on the world we all share — and to do it in English.
The Little Prince - France (382+ languages)
Number one on the list is The Little Prince, which has been translated into over 350 languages! It was originally published in English and French in 1943.
Written by the French author, poet, journalist and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, it tells the story of a young prince from a small planet who visits many other worlds and meets the people who live there. It deals with themes such as love, friendship and human nature. The book's charming illustrations were even drawn by the author himself.
The French newspaper Le Monde named The Little Prince one of the most important and memorable books written in the 20th century regardless of language. There is even an award in Iran for writers under 15 called The Little Prince Award!
The Adventures of Pinocchio - Italy (300+ languages)
Students are likely to be more familiar with film versions of the story of Pinocchio, but all of them are based on an Italian novel by Carlo Collodi published in 1883.
Pinocchio is the story of Geppetto, a woodcarver who makes a marionette that he names Pinocchio. Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy and goes on many dangerous and exciting adventures. Perhaps his most famous feature is his nose, which grows longer whenever he tells a lie.
The novel has become a classic of children’s literature and has been made into films many times, with perhaps the most famous being Disney’s animated movie from 1940. More recently, it was made into a film for Netflix in 2022.
If your students are familiar with both the book and any of the film adaptations, use that as base for a free conversation; which did they prefer and what are their overall opinions on remakes and similar interpretations?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - England (175+ languages)
The book from England with the most translations is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll and published in 1865. Just like Pinocchio, it has been made into film versions many times, which may be more familiar to modern audiences.
Alice is a young girl who accidentally travels to a magical fantasy world filled with talking animals and many weird and unusual characters.
The story went on to become a major influence in literature, film and other creative arts. It even inspired a song by The Beatles. Additionally, Alice remains an inspiration for fashion trends and classic Halloween costumes we can see easily today.
Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Denmark (160+ languages)
Rather than one novel, this is a collection of stories all written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Andersen is responsible for some of the most recognizable stories and characters in the world. Many of them have been remade into films, cartoons and theater plays. Some of the most famous of his stories include The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Match Girl and The Ugly Duckling.
Testament - Ukraine (150+ languages)
The most-translated work from the Ukraine is not a novel but a poem. It was written by Taras Shevchenko, a writer, artist and political figure in the 19th century.
The poem is a bold expression of the writer’s love of his country and his wish to be buried surrounded by its natural beauty. It deals with faith, freedom and wanting to be closer to God.
The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha - Spain (140+ languages)
Don Quixote is a name that is famous in the English-speaking world, even among people who have never read this novel from 1605. It was written by novelist, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes.
It tells the story of a man who has a low rank in high-class society. He goes on a journey and attempts to become a heroic and legendary adventurer. However, his grand ideas do not match his actual life. The story is both tragic and comedic since it deals with ideals and fantasies that become bigger and more powerful than reality.
This story is responsible for the word “quixotic,” an adjective describing something very unrealistic and impractical.
Students from Japan may be surprised and interested to learn of the link between this novel and the well-known Japanese retail chain Don Quijote (which is often shortened to "Donki").
The Way to Happiness - L. Ron Hubbard - The United States (112+ languages)
The next on our list is very different than the others. Rather than a poem or a story aimed at children, The Way to Happiness is a book written to help adults achieve a better life. It was written by L. Ron Hubbard, who was both an author and the founder of the controversial organization called Scientology.
The Way to Happiness is actually a booklet, and it contains a list of precepts, or rules for behavior or thought. Included in these precepts are rules such as “Seek to Live with the Truth,” “Do Not Harm a Person of Good Will” and ”Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You.”
People everywhere in the world are searching for ways to improve their lives, so perhaps it is no surprise that a book like this has been translated into so many languages.
The Adventures of Tintin - Belgium (93+ languages)
This entry is actually a series of comics that were first published in French in the late 1920s. It was created by Georges Prosper Remi, who is popularly known as Hergé.
Tintin is a reporter who goes on a variety of adventures around the world with his pet dog Snowy. These works feature an iconic and influential art style, and stories that mix action, mystery and comedy with references to social issues. However, it has also been criticized for including negative stereotypes of certain ethnic groups.
If they have not tried it before, consider recommending foreign comics to students for extra language practice. For many, the shorter format in addition to the illustrations make comics much less intimidating than the idea of reading a novel in English.
The Tragedy of Man - Hungary (93+ languages)
This is another entry on the list that isn't a book. The Tragedy of Man is a theatrical play written by Imre Madách that was first published in 1861. It tells the story of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman created by God.
Adam dreams that he is traveling through time and seeing the future of humanity. As hinted at in the "tragedy" in the title, Adam does not always like what he sees.
It’s a story about pride, temptation and the meaning of life. These are indeed themes that people can relate to no matter where they live or what language they speak.
The Alchemist - Brazil (80+ languages)
The Alchemist is a world-famous story written in Portuguese by Paulo Cohelo and first published in 1988.
“Alchemy” is a fantastical type of science and philosophy with ambitious goals such as making gold from simple metals, creating a medicine that cures all diseases, and discovering a way in which people can live forever.
The story is about a boy who has dreams of a treasure hidden somewhere near the pyramids of Egypt. On his journey to find it, he meets characters who change his life and teach him very valuable lessons.
Like other works on this list, The Alchemist inspired other works such as comics, films, theatrical plays, and even a symphony. The book itself is not very long compared to most novels, so it may be an easier recommendation than some of the other works covered in this list.
Expanded horizons
Art that can entertain and inspire people around the world is a very special thing. Each of the items on this list started in one particular country and language before it grew and gained popularity even in places very far away and with very different cultures.
Students looking for a way to learn more about the world while also practicing their English have many options to choose from. If you have any students you consider to be bookworms, you could have a free-talk lesson discussing which of these works they would like to read — or their thoughts on any they are already familiar with.
