Problems of Translating the Deleted Possessed in the Holy Quran

Abstract

This study aims at identifying the grammatical and semantic problems when translating the situations wherever the (possessed- Almudhaf) is deleted in the Holy Qur’an. Deleting of the possessed and content with the (possessor- Almudhaf ileihi) is considered to be one of the rhetorical miracles in the Holy Qur’an. Grammarians and Arabic scholars have specified purposes and conditions for deletion in the Arabic language in many spots where the omission is more eloquent. The study compares three translations by Muhammad Abdel Haleem Saeed, Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Saheeh International. The importance of the topic comes from the fact that it sheds light on the translators’ ability to find the exact equivalent grammatically and semantically in some places of deleting the possessed and limit to the possessor in order to achieve the objectives of deletion in the Holy Qur’an and its rhetorical goals by comparing the texts of the three translations, studying the words and phrases used by the translators, and clarifying their strengths and weaknesses. The study included two translations for Arabic nonnative speakers and a third for Arabic native speaker to know the grammatical and semantic effect of the mother tongue on translation. Based on the nature of the study, the descriptive and analytical approach is followed besides making use of other approaches if necessary. The study reached into a number of findings, including: Translators vary in terms of applying the proper strategies when translation the meaning of the Holy Quran. Reading the interpretations (Tafaseer) of the Holy Quran; like those of Ibn Kathir, Tabari, Qurtubi , Assadi, … etc. play vital role in understanding and translating the meaning of holly Quran in a proper way.