Is a translation of a foreign language piece of public domain literature copyright?
Am considering publishing my own version of an ancient foreign language text and while I am positive this work is in the realm of public domain am unsure about whether the current texts I use are copyright as translations?
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Yes the translators work is copyright , but the original text is not .
But if you are re-writing a new translation of one or more translators work then you get into greyer areas .
Simplest way is to acknowledge all the translators and their work that you used to put your version together , in the foreword to your book .
Nuff Sed
If the copyright on the translation has not expired, then you would still need a license from the copyright owners. Otherwise, because there is no copyright after it expires, you can do what you want with it.