Proper citation is fundamental in academic writing, and Spanish-language academia adheres to its own set of conventions. This guide provides a detailed overview of the most common citation styles used in Spanish-language scholarly work, highlighting key differences from English practices and offering specific examples.
1. APA Style Adapted for Spanish
The American Psychological Association (APA) style, widely used in social sciences, has been adapted for Spanish-language publications. Key points include:
In-text Citations:
- Use “y” instead of “&” for multiple authors: (García y Martínez, 2020)
- For three or more authors, use “et al.” after the first author’s surname: (López et al., 2019)
- For direct quotes, include page numbers: (Rodríguez, 2018, p. 45)
Reference List:
- Authors’ names: List up to 20 authors in full before using “et al.”
- Spell out organizational authors: Organización Mundial de la Salud (2021)
- Book titles: Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns
- Journal titles: Capitalize all major words
Example:
García-López, M., y Martínez-Sánchez, A. (2020). La influencia de las redes sociales en la educación superior. Revista de Educación, 45(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
2. MLA Format in Spanish Contexts
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style, popular in humanities, has specific guidelines for Spanish use:
In-text Citations:
- Author’s surname and page number: (Gómez 23)
- No comma between surname and page number
Works Cited:
- Use Spanish abbreviations: “ed.” for “edición”, “trad.” for “traducido por”
- Retain original Spanish titles; don’t translate
- For works in other languages, provide Spanish translations in brackets
Example:
Gómez, Ana. El impacto del cambio climático en América Latina. 2a ed., Editorial Científica, 2019.
3. Chicago/Turabian Style for Spanish Documents
The Chicago Manual of Style and its Turabian adaptation are flexible for Spanish use:
Footnotes/Endnotes:
- First citation: Include full bibliographic information
- Subsequent citations: Use shortened form
- Use “Ibíd.” for immediately repeated citations
Bibliography:
- Follow Spanish capitalization rules for titles (only capitalize first word and proper nouns)
- Use Spanish terms for publication information: “editado por” instead of “edited by”
Example:
- María Fernández, La historia del arte español (Madrid: Editorial Prado, 2018), 156-58.
- Fernández, La historia del arte español, 160.
- Ibíd., 162.
4. Differences between Spanish and English Citation Practices
Understanding these key differences is crucial for accurate Spanish citations:
| Feature | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Author Names | Full name often included | Usually only surname |
| Page Abbreviations | “p.” (single), “pp.” (multiple) | “p.” (single), “pp.” (multiple) |
| Date Formats | Day-Month-Year | Month-Day-Year |
| Titles | Capitalize first word and proper nouns only | Capitalize all major words |
| Translated Works | Include both original and translation years | Usually only translation year |
| Journal Names | Retain original language | May be translated |
Conclusion
Mastering these citation styles ensures that your Spanish academic writing meets scholarly standards and properly acknowledges sources. Always consult the latest style guides and follow specific institutional requirements. As citation practices can evolve, stay updated with the most recent guidelines from authoritative sources in Spanish-language academia.