Abstract
It goes without saying that since Arabic is not English, this entails that Arabic Qur’ān is not its English translation. Accordingly, expressions such as translation of the “meaning(s) of the Qur’ān” and “translating the untranslatable” are commonly used in writings on Qur’ān translation. The former reference betrays a sense of reluctance to call a Qur’ān translation what it looks to be, while the latter seems to reflect a desire to add a dimension of mystery to the Qur’ān and/or its translation. Each expression in its own way implies that rendering the Qur’ān into a foreign language with sufficient accuracy is an impossible task. True as the case may be, it is not common to find research works dealing with “why” the Qur’ān may be considered “untranslatable” providing concrete evidence, rather than generic and ambiguous references.
Being a text at the highest degree of eloquence, the Qur’ān, as a whole, poses a serious challenge for translators and linguists alike. The challenging areas within the Qur’ānic text are indeed too numerous to count. This research chapter investigates one of the major problem areas when translating the Qur’ān, namely, omission/ellipsis. This linguistic feature is intrinsic to the Qur’ānic text and, in turn, has an impact on its translation leading to this so-called untranslatability. If something is not there, how could it be translated? Could what is “lost” in or missing from the source text (ST) be found in the translation? If what is there is impacted by what is not there and vice versa, does this make the ST as a whole untranslatable? This chapter highlights these specific problematic issues, be them grammatical, syntactic, semantic, rhetorical, or otherwise. It provides an analysis based upon linguistic as well as empirical evidence to this effect. Additionally, the existence of actual translations of the Qur’ān in almost all living languages seems to challenge the veracity of the expression “translating the untranslatable.” This chapter will also shed light on what it is that we have when the “untranslatable” is made available in translation.
The examples analyzed unveil how omission functions in the Qur’ān and its translation and also identifies what approaches and strategies have been used to render the nonexistent. It also corrects a long-standing erroneous understanding of the bismillāh through an analysis of its structure which is also indicative of ellipsis.
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Appendices
Appendix 1: Transliteration System
Appendix 2 Q55:5
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The following translations are taken from the website Islam Awakened https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/55/5/default.htm (on 10 January 2019) | ||
Translator | Translation | |
1 | Muhammad Asad | [At His behest] the sun and the moon run their appointed courses |
2 | M. M. Pickthall | The sun and the moon are made punctual |
3 | Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938) Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985) | The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed |
4 | Shakir | The sun and the moon follow a reckoning |
5 | Wahiduddin Khan | The sun and the moon move according to a fixed reckoning |
6 | Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar | The sun and the moon are to keep count |
7 | T.B. Irving | The sun and moon [move along] like clockwork |
8 | The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab | The sun and the moon ‘travel’ with precision |
9 | Safi Kaskas | The sun and the moon run on precise calculations |
10 | Abdul Hye | The sun and the moon (run on their fixed courses) for reckoning |
11 | The Study Quran | The sun and the moon are upon a reckoning |
12 | [The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition); and Rashad Khalifa | The sun and the moon are perfectly calculated |
13 | Abdel Haleem and Syed Vickar Ahamed | The sun and the moon follow their calculated courses |
14 | Abdul Majid Daryabadi | The sun and the moon are in a reckoning |
15 | Ahmed Ali | The sun and moon revolve to a computation |
16 | Aisha Bewley | The sun and the moon both run with precision |
17 | Ali Ünal | The sun and the moon are by an exact calculation (of the All-Merciful) |
18 | Ali Quli Qara’i | The sun and the moon are [disposed] calculatedly |
19 | Hamid S. Aziz | The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) reckoned (in space and time) |
20 | Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali | The sun and the moon (run) to all-precisely reckoned (courses) |
21 | Muhammad Sarwar | The sun and moon rotate in a predestined orbit |
22 | Muhammad Taqi Usmani | The sun and the moon are (bound) by a (fixed) calculation |
23 | Shabbir Ahmed | The sun and the moon run by a mathematical design. (Such are the changeless Laws given in this Book) |
24 | Umm Muhammad (Sahih International) | The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation |
25 | Farook Malik | The sun and the moon move along their computed courses |
26 | Dr. Munir Munshey | The sun and the moon function (perfectly), as per their schedules |
27 | Dr. Kamal Omar | The sun and the moon (move) under a mathematical calculation |
28 | Talal A. Itani (new translation) | The sun and the moon move according to plan |
29 | Maududi | The sun and the moon follow a reckoning |
30 | Ali Bakhtiari Nejad | The sun and the moon with precisely calculated (courses) |
31 | A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018) | The Sun and the Moon follow courses computed |
32 | Mohammad Shafi | [HE has created] the sun and the moon on accurately measured dimensions, properties and positions |
33 | Bijan Moeinian | The one who gave to the sun and to the moon the energy to move in motion |
34 | Faridul Haque | The sun and the moon are scheduled |
35 | Muhammad Ahmed – Samira | The sun and the moon with a count/calculation |
36 | Sher Ali | The sun and the moon run their courses according to a fixed reckoning |
37 | Arthur John Arberry and Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi) and Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah | The sun and the moon are according to a reckoning |
38 | Amatul Rahman Omar | The sun and the moon pursue their scheduled courses on their axis according to a fixed reckoning |
39 | Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri | The sun and the moon are rotating according to the configuration determined (by Him) |
40 | Muhsin Khan and Muhammad al-Hilali | The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.) |
41 | Edward Henry Palmer | The sun and the moon have their appointed time |
42 | George Sale | The sun and the moon run their courses according to a certain rule |
43 | John Medows Rodwell | The Sun and the Moon have each their times |
44 | N J Dawood (2014) | The sun and the moon pursue their ordered course |
45 | Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur’an al-Karim | The courses of the sun and the moon were determined according to precise computation |
46 | Mir Aneesuddin | The sun and the moon (function) according to a calculation |
Appendix 3: Q12:15
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The following translations are taken from the website Islam Awakened: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/12/15/default.htm (on 16 January 2019) | ||
Translator | Translation | |
1 | Muhammad Asad | And so, when they went away with him, they decided to cast him into the dark depths of the well. And We revealed [this] unto him: “Thou wilt yet remind them of this their deed at a time when they shall not perceive [who thou art]!” |
2 | M. M. Pickthall | Then, when they led him off, and were of one mind that they should place him in the depth of the pit, We inspired in him: Thou wilt tell them of this deed of theirs when they know (thee) not |
3 | Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985) | So they did take him away, and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well: and We put into his heart (this Message): “Of a surety thou shalt (one day) tell them the truth of this their affair while they know (thee) not” |
4 | Abdel Haleem | Then they took him away with them, resolved upon throwing him into the hidden depths of a well- We inspired him, saying, “You will tell them of all this [at a time] when they do not realize [who you are]!”- |
5 | Shakir | So when they had gone off with him and agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of the pit, and We revealed to him: You will most certainly inform them of this their affair while they do not perceive |
6 | Wahiduddin Khan | And so, when they went away with him, they decided to cast him into the dark depths of a well. Then We revealed to him Our will, You shall [one day] tell them of this deed of theirs, when they do not realize who you are |
7 | Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar | So they went with him, and they agreed to lay him in the bottom of the well. And We revealed to him: Certainly, thou wilt tell them of this, their affair, when they are not aware |
8 | T.B. Irving | As they went away with him, they agreed on how to place him in the bottom of a cistern. We inspired him as follows: “You will inform them about this business of theirs while they will not catch on about it” |
9 | The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab | And so, when they took him away and decided to throw him into the bottom of the well, We inspired him: “‘One day’ you will remind them of this deed of theirs while they are unaware ‘of who you are’” |
10 | Safi Kaskas | When they went away with him and decided to throw him into the dark depths of a well, We inspired him, saying, “One day, you will remind them of their deed at a time when they will least expect it” |
11 | Abdul Hye | So, when they went away with him, they all agreed to put him down in the bottom of the well. We inspired in him (Joseph): “Indeed, you will (one day) inform them this about their affair, now they don’t know you” |
12 | The Study Quran | So when they went with him, and agreed to put him in the depths of the well, We revealed unto him, “Verily thou wilt inform them of this affair of theirs, when they are unaware” |
13 | Mir Aneesuddin | So when they went away with him and collectively decided that they will put him in a deep well, then We communicated to him that you will definitely inform them of this affair of theirs while they do not perceive |
14 | Abdel Haleem | Then they took him away with them, resolved upon throwing him into the hidden depths of a well- We inspired him, saying, “You will tell them of all this [at a time] when they do not realize [who you are]!” |
15 | Abdul Majid Daryabadi | So when they took him away, and resolved to place him in the bottom of the well, We Revealed unto him: surely thou wilt declare unto them this their affair, while they shall perceive not |
16 | Ahmed Ali | So, when they took him out they planned to throw him into an unused well. We revealed to Joseph: “You will tell them (one day) of this deed when they will not apprehend it” |
17 | Aisha Bewley | But when, in fact, they did go out with him and gathered all together and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well, We then revealed to him that: “You will inform them of this deed they perpetrate at a time when they are totally unaware” |
18 | Ali Ünal | And so they went away with him, and decided to put Joseph in the depth of the well, (which they did). We revealed to him: “You will most certainly remind them of this deed of theirs while they are unaware (neither knowing nor understanding all that has transpired)” |
19 | Ali Quli Qara’i | So when they took him away and conspired to put him into the recess of a well, We revealed to him, “[A day will come when] you will surely inform them about this affair of theirs while they are not aware [of your identity]” |
20 | Hamid S. Aziz | And when they had gone off with him and agreed to put him in the depths of a pit, We inspired him, “Thou shall surely remind them of this affair of theirs when they know you not” |
21 | Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali | So, when they went with him, they agreed (Literally: and they agreed) together to set him down in the unseen (bottom) of the pit; and We revealed to him, “Indeed you will definitely (fully) inform them of this, their command, (Or: their affair) and they are not aware” |
22 | Muhammad Sarwar | When they took Joseph with them, they agreed to throw him into the well. We revealed to Joseph that (sometime) in the future at a time when they would not recognize him, he would remind them of all this |
23 | Muhammad Taqi Usmani | So, when they went away with him and were determined to put him in the bottom of a pit, (they did accordingly). And We revealed to him (Yusuf). You will (one day) remind them of this deed of theirs, and they will not recognize (you) |
24 | Shabbir Ahmed | Unanimous in their decision, they led Joseph to cast him into a deep well. When they were placing Joseph in the well, We revealed to him that he would remain secure, and one day he would tell his brothers about what they did. We also revealed to him that it would be a mystery to them as to how Joseph was saved! |
25 | Syed Vickar Ahamed | So when they did take him away, and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well: And We put into his heart (the foretelling): “Surely, you will tell them (one day) the truth of this their affair while they do not know (you)” |
26 | Umm Muhammad (Sahih International) | So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, “You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]” |
27 | Farook Malik | When after such persistence they were able to take him away, they resolved to throw him into a dark well. We revealed this (to Joseph): “A time will come when you will admonish them about this act of theirs, now they do not perceive its consequences” |
28 | Dr. Munir Munshey | They took him out and agreed amongst themselves to leave him in a dried out well. There, We sent word to Yusuf, “Surely, one day you will describe to them this act of theirs, as they would fail to recognize you!” |
29 | Dr. Kamal Omar | So when they departed with him and they all agreed that they will drop him down to the bottom of the well, simultaneously we sent inspiration to him: “Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this, their affair, while they would not be recognising (you)” |
30 | Talal A. Itani (new translation) | So they went away with him, and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well. And We inspired him, “You will inform them of this deed of theirs when they are unaware” |
31 | Maududi | So when they went away with Joseph and decided to cast him in the bottom of the dark pit, We revealed to Joseph: “Surely a time will come when you will remind them of their deed. They know nothing about the consequence of what they are doing” |
32 | Ali Bakhtiari Nejad | And when they took him away and they all agreed to put him in the bottom of the well, We revealed to him: (someday) you shall inform them of this affair of theirs while they would not realize |
33 | A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al. (2018) | So they took him away, and they all threw him down to the bottom of the well, and We put into his heart this message, “Indeed you will tell them the truth about this act of theirs, while they know you not” |
34 | [The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition) | So, when they went with him they had agreed to place him into the bottom of the well. And We inspired to him: “You will inform them of this act of theirs while they will not expect it” |
35 | Mohammad Shafi | So then they went off with him and mutually agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of a well. And We revealed to him, “They know it not, but you shall one day certainly tell them of this act of theirs” |
36 | Bijan Moeinian | When they convinced the father, took him out and threw him in the well, I revealed to Joseph: “A time will come when you will reproach them for what they are doing. For the moment [they have admitted the Satan so deeply in themselves that] they do not realize what they are doing” |
37 | Faridul Haque | So when they took him away – and all of them agreed that they should drop him in the dark well; and We sent the divine revelation to him, “You will surely tell them of their deed at a time when they will not know” |
38 | Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah | When they went with him, they agreed to put him in the bottom of a well. We revealed to him: “You shall tell them of what they did when they are not aware (it is you)” |
39 | Maulana Muhammad Ali | So when they took him away and agreed to put him down at the bottom of the pit, We revealed to him: Thou wilt certainly inform them of this affair of theirs while they perceive not |
40 | Muhammad Ahmed – Samira | So when they went/went away with him, and they all unanimously agreed that they put him in the well’s/deep well’s low hidden area/grave, and We inspired/transmitted to him: “You will inform them (E) with their matter/affair, this, and (while) they are not feeling/knowing/sensing” |
41 | Sher Ali | So, when they took him away, and agreed to put him into the bottom of a deep well, and carry out the malicious design, WE sent revelation to him, saying, “Thou shalt surely one day tell them of this affair of theirs, and they did not know” |
42 | Rashad Khalifa | When they went away with him, and unanimously decided to throw him into the abyss of the well, we inspired him: “Someday, you will tell them about all this, while they have no idea” |
43 | Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi) | Then when they took him away, and all agreed that he should be put in a dark well, and We revealed to him that necessarily you shall inform them of this doing while they shall not be knowing |
44 | Amatul Rahman Omar | So when (after forcing their father) they took him away and agreed to put him into the depths of a dry well (and carried their plan out), We revealed to him (- Joseph), “You shall certainly tell them (one day) of this (treacherous) doing of theirs while they perceive not” |
45 | Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri | Then, when they took him along and all agreed to throw him into some deep, dark well, We revealed to him: “(O Yusuf [Joseph], do not worry. A time will come when) you will certainly remind them of this affair of theirs, and they will not have the sense (of your exalted station)” |
46 | Muhsin Khan and Muhammad al-Hilali | So, when they took him away, they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well, and We inspired in him: “Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not” |
47 | Arthur John Arberry | So when they went with him, and agreed to put him in the bottom of the well, and We revealed to him, “Thou shalt tell them of this their doing when they are unaware” |
48 | Edward Henry Palmer | And when they had gone off with him and agreed to put him in the depths of the pit, and we inspired him, “Thou shalt surely inform them of this affair of theirs and they shall not perceive” |
49 | George Sale | And when they had carried him with them, and agreed to set him at the bottom of the well, they executed their design: And We sent a revelation unto him, saying, thou shalt hereafter declare this their action unto them; and they shall not perceive thee to be Joseph |
50 | John Medows Rodwell | And when they went away with him they agreed to place him at the bottom of the well. And We revealed to him, “Thou wilt yet tell them of this their deed, when they shall not know thee” |
51 | N J Dawood (2014) | So when they took him with them, they together resolved to cast him into a dark pit. We revealed to him Our will, saying: “You shall tell them of all this when they will not know you” |
52 | Ahmed Hulusi | So, when they took him and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well, We revealed to him, “Indeed, you will confront them with this affair (one day) in a place where they will not recognize you!” |
53 | Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli | So when they did take him with them, and they agreed to put him in the bottom of the well, and We revealed unto him: “You will certainly inform them of this deed of theirs while they know (you) not” |
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Allaithy, A. (2019). Challenges in Translating the Qur’ān – Translating the Untranslatable: Omission/Ellipsis. In: Brunn, S., Kehrein, R. (eds) Handbook of the Changing World Language Map. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73400-2_211-1
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