Top Ten Translated Books of All Times: How Many Have You Read?


If you were stopped on the sidewalk and as part of a survey, asked to guess the most translated books in history, what would your answer be?
See if you are correct – here are the top ten translated books of all time.

1. The Bible

There are many who would name the Bible as the most translated book of all time and technically they would be correct – according to some historians and experts. It’s a matter of which part of the Bible translation is being looked at though, as figures vary; at least one book of the Bible has been translated into an incredible 2,883 languages over time, the New Testament has been made available in 1,329 linguistic versions, and the whole of the Bible; New and Old Testament jointly has reached readers speaking 531 different languages.

2. Listen to God and Live Forever; Watch Tower Society

The topic of the most translated book in the world is one which is often up for question; whilst the Bible is the most translated in terms of at least one book, Listen to God and Live Forever has been translated – as a whole – into 583 languages, which is more than the combined New and Old Testament translated versions. An incredible achievement as it was only launched in 2011.

3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights; United Nations Commission on Human Rights

Not many would choose a document published by the United Nations as one of the most translated pieces of work of all time. When you think about it though, it makes sense; it’s a document which affects everyone in the world, which is why it’s been made available in 444 languages since first published in 1948.

4. What Does the Bible Really Teach?; Watch Tower Society

Only published in 2005, this book from the Jehovah’s Witnesses has been a worldwide phenomenon. It has reached almost all parts of the globe, is now available in 272 languages, and there are plans for this number to increase.

5. Pinocchio; Carlo Collodi

The most popular work of fiction in the world, in terms of the number of languages it has been translated into, the 1883 literary wonder has been read across the world in over 260 languages.

6. The Little Prince; Antoine de Saint Exupery

First published in French, The Little Prince is a surprise entry when compared to all the children’s classics available. It was first published in 1943 and was once voted the most important book in 20th century French literature.

7. The Watchtower – Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

Published every two weeks since 1879, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have spread their faith around the world with this journal, which can be found in 243 languages.

8. Pilgrim’s Progress; John Bunyan

There are now 200 different language versions of this 1678 classic. Originally penned in English, it’s viewed as one of the most important pieces of Christian literature.

9. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; Lewis Carroll

Hopping down a hole into a fantasy world where food and drink make you grow and shrink. The Lewis Carroll classic has amazed generations of children and can be found in 174 languages.

10. Andersen’s Fairy Tales; Hans Christian Andersen

Written over a period of almost 20 years, the beautifully crafted tales of Hans Andersen grace the bookshelves of children around the world. It’s now available in a total of 153 languages as well as the original version in Danish.



(PS: This write up was copied, mainly for enlightenment sake and was/is in no way a product of my own creativity)

Whaooooo. I've read just the bible in 4 translation. Read my signature

7/10

All but 3,5,6 & 10