An Analytical Examination of English Translations of Idioms in Selected Verses of Surah Al-Ma’idah and Surah Al-Isra Based on Schleiermacher’s Framework

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Department of English Language, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The language of the Qur’ān is highly eloquent and rich in rhetoric. Transferring features of languages from different origins is tricky. Although throughout history, scholars have made significant contributions to understanding Qur’ānic idioms, we still face challenges in conveying their meanings. There are language-specific idioms in Qur’ānic Arabic, reflecting Arab culture and environment. The fact that different cultures conceptualize reality in varying ways causes idioms to be shaped by cultural factors. This is why some translations of Qur’ānic idioms fail to convey their full depth of meaning. This article aims to investigate various interpretations and English translations of the idioms in the selected verses of Surahs Al-Isra and Al-Ma’idah. To this end, the translations of twelve prominent translators were compared. Considering the descriptive nature of the work, the researchers analyzed the methods used by the selected translators. The theoretical framework underpinning this study is the translation methods of Schleiermacher. Furthermore, the translations were analyzed and ranked based on Waddington’s holistic model of translation quality assessment. Analysis reveals a spectrum of translational strategies, defying strict categorization within Schleiermacher’s binary framework of ‘naturalizing’ and ‘alienating’ translation. A significant number of translations exhibit hybrid characteristics, displaying a preponderance towards either naturalization or alienation, yet failing to conform exclusively to either pole.

Keywords

Main Subjects

©2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 19 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 25 December 2023
  • Publish Date: 01 January 2024

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