Writing & StyleStyle guide

Citing Bilingual Titles with an Equals Sign or Slash

Citing Bilingual Titles with an Equals Sign or Slash records a distinct source-supported writing task while keeping implementation mechanics, unsupported preferences, and adjacent intents outside the page.

Quick answer

Chicago permits an equals sign or a slash between two full-language forms of a bilingual title, and prefers an equals sign when the source itself does not supply a separating mark.

Key details

Core IssueChicago permits an equals sign or a slash between two full-language forms of a bilingual title, and prefers an equals sign when the source itself does not supply a separating mark.
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Important caveats

Scope Boundary

This is Chicago-specific citation guidance for bilingual titles, not a general rule that every slash in a title should be replaced with an equals sign.

Further guidance

Content

Keep both title forms and separate them with a spaced equals sign or slash according to the cited source and Chicago’s guidance.

Purpose

The delimiter makes clear that the citation presents two language forms of the same title rather than a title and subtitle.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. CMOS Q&A — slash between bilingual titles (opens in a new tab)University of Chicago Press · Official Chicago guidance for separating two full-language forms of a bilingual title with a spaced equals sign or slash, preferring an equals sign when the source supplies no separator.

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