The deterioration of the usage of `kaana' in the Holy Quran via translation

Author: Al-Khawalda, Mohammad

Source: Babel, Volume 50, Number 3, 2004 , pp. 215-229(15)

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company

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Abstract:

<br /> This paper investigates the accuracy of the translation of the Arabic copula kaana (be-past-he) in the holy Quran. The first one hundred usages of kaana are selected for investigation. The examples are exclusively derived from Surat al-baqarah (1) and surat ali?umran (2). The translation under discussion is taken from `Holy Quran, CD, 6th ed. Saxir for Computer Programs' The translation has been checked via back translation, which was compared with the original temporal and aspectual meaning expressed by the usage of kaana. It turns out that the translation of kaana caused confusion rather than understanding. It also seems that most of the inadequacies result from insufficient understanding of the mechanism of tense and aspect in both the Arabic and English languages. Moreover, in most cases, the modal usage of kaana which plays a significant role, is ignored by the translator(s). In addition to back translation carried out by some scholars, the translation has also been checked via `Machine Translation' which shows a real abuse of the original text.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/babel.50.3.02alk

Affiliations: 1: Mutah University

Publication date: 2004-01-01

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