"English definition" + "Foreign Term"

Question

Hello. I would like to know if the following way is correct to present a foreign element without using neither round brackets nor commas with "or 'x'".

There is a growing body of literature on the textual organization of "book reviews" shohyo (e.g., Yamada 2010; Jackson 2011; Fortuna 2013).

In the case above, shohyo would be italicized.

Thank you!

GPY · Accepted Answer

That doesn't work. It isn't clear why the word shohyo has been inserted. There also seems no reason to put "book reviews" in quotes.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. I have found in a manual (the MLA's one) the following option:

foreign word + 'translation'

It says that this pattern is used when there is nothing between the foreign word and the translation.

So, what about the following?

There is a growing body of literature on the textual organization of shohyo 'book reviews' (e.g., Yamada 2010; Jackson 2011; Fortuna 2013).

Thank you again.

GPY · Answer

AnonymousThere is a growing body of literature on the textual organization of shohyo 'book reviews' (e.g., Yamada 2010; Jackson 2011; Fortuna 2013).

I don't like it. It can be read as if "shohyo 'book reviews'" are a type of book review.

If it is clear from the wider context that Japanese terms are to be expected, then this would be OK:

shohyo (book reviews)

If not, you will need further explanation that shohyo is a Japanese term and possibly indication of the reason for mentioning it.

"English definition" + "Foreign Term"

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