A manuscript reference should preserve a non-English article title by verifying the original-language record, retaining the original title or an approved transliteration according to the required style, and adding a bracketed English translation only where that style permits, while ensuring the final reference resolves to the same identifier. To apply this in practice, follow these steps:
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Verify the original-language record. Use the DOI to retrieve the deposited metadata for the article, such as through a DOI lookup in Crossref, and confirm the original title exactly as it appears in the record. This step ensures you are working from the publisher-deposited title, not a secondary translation.
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Retain the original title or approved transliteration. Follow the rules of the style guide you are using (for example, Citing Medicine for NLM style) to decide whether to keep the title in its original script, transliterate it, or both. The style guide provides structured examples for citing journal articles and other publication types.
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Add a bracketed translation only if the style permits. Some styles allow a translation in square brackets after the original title; others do not. Check the specific rule in your style guide before adding one.
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Confirm the final reference resolves to the same identifier. After formatting, verify that the DOI or other identifier in the reference still points to the same article record. This ensures that readers can locate the source regardless of title presentation.
For example, if the original title is in Chinese characters and your style requires transliteration, you would provide the transliterated title and optionally a bracketed English translation if allowed. The DOI remains unchanged, so the reference remains traceable.