Abstract
Faithfulness and equivalence are two issues that gained the attention of many scholars in the translation field. It has always been presumed that a faithful translation is the one that could achieve equivalence at its maximum level. However, one theory of translation, namely, the Skopos theory, suggests that the aim or Skopos of a translation should be the target of a translator. Adopting such a theory, equivalence does not mean sameness; it rather means achieving the least dissimilarness. In relation to this, a translation of the Holy Quran is supposed to target conveying the primary meaning of the source text (ST) and its function rather than unachievably aiming at rendering its stylistic features. This study aims to highlight the problems faced in the translation of some verses of the Holy Quran and how they can be handled from a different theoretical and practical perspective and in regard to the Skopos theory. To this end, six verses ( ayahs) from the Chapter of the Heights and the Chapter of Cattle were purposively selected and analyzed. Frequent problems and loss in translation were found in the translations of Abdel Haleem, Pickthall, Shakir, and Sarwar. This study, guided by the Skopos theory with some modifications, suggests a new perspective in the translation of the Holy Quran. It also provides a more applicable definition of faithfulness in the translation of the Holy Quran.
Highlights
Faithfulness in translation has always been an issue that preoccupied the minds of translators and readers of translation (Diniz, 2003)
This section aims to address the first research question, which is about the problems found in the translation of the Holy Quran
This study aimed to highlight the problems faced in the translation of the Holy Quran and how they can be dealt with from a different theoretical and practical perspective and in regard to the Skopos theory
Summary
Faithfulness in translation has always been an issue that preoccupied the minds of translators and readers of translation (Diniz, 2003). This aspect has been given more priority in practice and in evaluations of translation even over the quality of translation when the translated text is authoritative in nature (Diniz, 2003). In relation to this, Zhongying (1990) argues that there are different interpretations about what faithfulness in translation is. Pym (2001) argues that if a target text (TT) leaves some parts of the ST out, the translation is likely to be unfaithful. A good translator is likely to be faithful to the ST
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