Abstract
This paper aims to explore and discuss how women translators of the Quran have dealt with the patriarchal linguistic elements in the source text by focusing on two main challenges of translation. First the problem of gender agreement differences between the target and the source language. Because Arabic is highly gendered and English is not, many feminine nouns, pronouns and verbs become invisible in English and as result the “gender balance” created in original could be lost in the translation. The second challenge they face lies in the use of masculine nouns and pronouns in the generic sense, which as many feminists argued assumes generic human to be male and excludes the “human woman.” The four female translators, discussed in this paper, seem to react differently to these linguistic and translational challenges revealing a “feminine language” on one hand and reproducing the dominant male voice on the other.
Highlights
In recent years language has become a major battle ground for reclaiming gender equality as feminist writers and translators’ concern with patriarchal language drew attention to sex discrimination in and through language
In this paper I will focus on the four individual versions by women, namely The Quran, Arabic Text with Corresponding English Meaning (1995) by Umm Muhammad, known under the pseudonym of Saheeh International, an American convert to Islam who lives in Saudi Arabia; The Light of Dawn (1999) by Camille Adams Helminski, an American convert based in the United States; The Holy Quran: Translation with Commentary (2006) by the famous Iranian writer and poetess Tahereh Saffarzadeh; and The Sublime Quran (2007) by Laleh Bakthiar, an Iranian-American convert to Islam who lives in the United States
Taking into consideration feminist writers and translators’ criticism of malebias in conventional language and their belief that a more inclusive language could affect male/female relation in society, this paper sought to show how women translators of the Quran have dealt with the problem of translating patriarchal language in sacred religious texts
Summary
In recent years language has become a major battle ground for reclaiming gender equality as feminist writers and translators’ concern with patriarchal language drew attention to sex discrimination in and through language. Even though many of the strategies and techniques they have invented failed to be adopted and implemented in conventional language, feminist critique has helped to raise awareness about the impact of male-centered language on women’s position in society and to stress the need to change the patriarchal norms and habits This prompts the question whether women translators of the Quran will use similar techniques to present their feminine perspective or whether they will maintain conventional patriarchal English language in their translations of the sacred text of Islam. I will discuss two aspects of language, namely, the transfer of feminine imagery and the use of inclusive or gender-neutral language
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