The Inconsistent Techniques Adopted in Rendering into English the Arabic Definite Article “al ال” in Hilali & Khan's Thematic Translation of the Holy Quran (Sample translations of Islam-Specific Nouns, modified by “al ال”, in selected Surahs/verses)

Abstract

The thematic translation of the Holy Quran has been attempted long ago by various translators. And due to the fact that the requirements of the translator of Islamic texts are a bit more complicated, the translation of some Arabic grammatical and rhetorical forms might pose a real challenge for non-native speakers of Arabic. Mastering the Arabic language, being it the Source Language of Islamic texts to be translated into any Target Language, is inevitable for any translator of such text types. The thematic translation of the Holy Quran by some translators having neither the SL nor the TL as their L1, makes their attempt even more challenging. Indeed, Arabic language is the mother tongue of Hilali; yet, not of Khan. This study highlights their rendering into English the definite article “al ال” modifying the Islam-Specific Nouns in selected Surahs: Al-Baqara (2:2), (2:3), (2: 43-45), (2:57), (2:198), al-Imran (3:3), Al-Maida (5: 2), At-Tauba (9:60), and Al-Furqan (25 :38).