Indexed in the MLA Bibliography. In many cases only one English-language translation of a given work is available, making the question of selection moot. Yet certain major works of literature have been translated many times. Choosing among them is in part a matter of personal preference. One might enjoy a free translation that uses contemporary English idioms, for example, or prefer a translation that follows the original phraseology more closely.
Poetry is even more subject than prose to the stylistic idiosyncrasies of the translator.
A second consideration is authoritativeness. This characteristic is often difficult for the novice to judge. It may be wise to select a translation that is part of a reputable series such as the Loeb Classical Library , or Translations of Mathematical Monographs , or one that is produced by a first-rate publisher such as Oxford University Press. Book reviews may mention the quality of a translation, perhaps discussing its virtues relative to earlier versions. Finally, it is often wise to seek the advice of a scholar in the relevant field.