LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 24:5 May 2024
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

Celebrate India!
Unity in Diversity!!

HOME PAGE

Click Here for Back Issues of Language in India - From 2001

Poetic Encounter
Available in https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09TT86S4T

Poems
Naked: the honest browsings of two brown women
Available in https://www.amazon.in

Decrees
Available in https://www.amazon.com

BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ AND DOWNLOAD FREE!

REFERENCE MATERIALS

BACK ISSUES

  • E-mail your articles and book-length reports in Microsoft Word to languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.

  • PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES GIVEN IN HOME PAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIST OF CONTENTS.

  • Your articles and book-length reports should be written following the APA, MLA, LSA, or IJDL Stylesheet.

  • The Editorial Board has the right to accept, reject, or suggest modifications to the articles submitted for publication, and to make suitable stylistic adjustments. High quality, academic integrity, ethics and morals are expected from the authors and discussants.

Copyright © 2024
M. S. Thirumalai

Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
11249 Oregon Circle
Bloomington, MN 55438
USA
Custom Search

Interpreting Divine Creation:
Translation of Names in the Holy Qur’an

Ilfa K. M., PhD Scholar and Prof. (Dr.) S. A. Shanavas

Abstract

This paper examines the intricate task of translating the Divine Names attributed to Allah’s act of creation within the Holy Qur’an. The study focuses on six specific Divine names, exploring their meanings and interpretations in Arabic, and scrutinising their translations in three well-known English translations of the Qur’an by Yusuf Ali, Pickthall and Sahih International. The analysis reveals that while these names may appear synonymous, they actually denote distinct aspects of the Divine Act of Creation. The paper highlights the challenges translators face in faithfully conveying the profound depth and richness of these Divine names’ meanings, given their unique attributes. The study underscores the complexity inherent in accurately conveying the comprehensive meaning of the Divine Names of Allah in Translation, emphasising the indispensable role of supplementary elucidatory mechanisms in bridging the gap between the Divine Names and their adaptations in translations.

Keywords: Divine Names, Qur’an, Translation

1. Introduction

The Holy Qur’an is a highly sensitive religious text that necessitates utmost precision in understanding its meaning and interpretation. It was revealed in the Arabic language. According to Islam, this holy text is God’s word revealed to mankind through the agency of the Prophet. For Muslims, the Qur'an is a guide for life. It teaches them how to be good people and worship God. Muslims read and listen to the Qur'an in their prayers and during special occasions. They believe it has answers to life's questions and can give them comfort and guidance. It extends guidance to all individuals, irrespective of their geographic or temporal context. It stands as an indispensable resource for Muslims in all aspects of life - social, personal, political, and economic - continuously offering guidance and enlightenment. To know about Islam, one must fully understand the meaning and interpretation of this Divine scripture. However, many people do not know Arabic, the original language of the Qur’an. Only about twenty per cent of Muslims are Arabic speakers, with the majority residing outside of the Middle East and not identifying as ethnically Arab. Presently, the Muslim community is highly diverse, comprising numerous cultural groups and encompassing over 2300 language or ethnic subgroups dispersed globally. These non-Arab speakers rely on translations to understand the meanings and messages of the Holy Qur’an. They often choose English translations as English is now a global language of communication and serves as the primary medium of instruction in many educational settings. Since the Holy Qur’an is the foundation of Islam, the second-largest religion in the world, followed by over 1.9 billion people, and the source of its teachings provides guidance, it is necessary to study the correctness and accuracy of its translations.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Ilfa K. M.
PhD Scholar, Department of Linguistics
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram – 695581
Email: ilfakm94@gmail.com

Prof. (Dr.) S. A. Shanavas
Department of Linguistics
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram – 695581
sashanavas@keralauniversity.ac.in
Custom Search
  • Click Here to Go to Creative Writing Section

  • Send your articles
    as an attachment
    to your e-mail to
    languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.
  • Please ensure that your name, academic degrees, institutional affiliation and institutional address, and your e-mail address are all given in the first page of your article. Also include a declaration that your article or work submitted for publication in LANGUAGE IN INDIA is an original work by you and that you have duly acknowledged the work or works of others you used in writing your articles, etc. Remember that by maintaining academic integrity we not only do the right thing but also help the growth, development and recognition of Indian/South Asian scholarship.