article

Translating strategies of oath expressions in the Holy Qur’an into English by senior students

  • Mohammed Almahfali 1
  • Mohammed Hasan Alfattah 2
  1. 1. Arabic language lecturer, and fellow researcher, Folk University, Sweden, and MESA Global Academy, USA
  2. 2. Associate professor of linguistics, Department of English & Translation, College of Applied and Human Sciences, University of Amran, Republic of Yemen.
Issue: Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025)
Pages: 679-699
Published: 2025-05-26
DOI: 10.53286/arts.v7i2.2542
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Abstract

This study explores the strategies employed by senior translation and English students in Yemeni universities in translating oath expressions in the Holy Qur'an. Oath expressions, known as "Qasam" in Arabic, serve as powerful rhetorical devices in the Qur'anic discourse, imbued with theological significance and cultural connotations. Drawing upon insights from translation theory, religious translation studies, and Qur'anic studies, this research examines the various strategies utilized by students of translation and English to convey the meaning and impact of oath expressions while preserving their linguistic, cultural, and religious authenticity. The study's dataset consists of twenty oath expressions, selected randomly and have been subjected to analysis through semantic, and pragmatic methodologies. The findings revealed that translation strategies employed by respondents are literal translation, paraphrasing, transposition, modulation, semantic translation, communicative translation, omission and transliteration. The study showcases that literal translation emerged as the most frequently used strategy for translating oath expressions. Paraphrasing and transposition were also used to address grammatical and structural differences. However, omission and word-for-word translation often resulted in semantic and lexical losses, highlighting the students' limited familiarity with the complexities of sacred texts.

Keywords

Noble Quran translation Transliteration Semantic translation Quranic studies Religious translation

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