English Translation Research Articles

Aḥmad al-Ghazālī’s al-Tajrīd fī Kalimat al-Tawḥīd: “A Primer on the Statement of Tawḥīd”

Abstract This article presents an introduction to and the first complete English translation of Aḥmad al-Ghazālī’s (d. 517/1123 or 520/1126), al-Tajrīd fī kalimat al-tawḥīd, his most widely received Arabic text. The title has a double entendre, meaning both “A Primer on the Statement of Tawḥīd,” and “Disengaging Through the Statement of Tawḥīd.” It is designed to serve both purposes. The first half provides a spiritual typography, juxtaposing “the people of grace” (ahl al-faḍl) to “the people of justice” (ahl al-ʿadl). The former are those who maintain their covenant with God and follow the Prophet Muhammad. The latter are those who break the covenant and follow Iblīs. The second half guides aspirants through the levels of spiritual development and the corresponding modes of remembrance (dhikr), detailing three modes of dhikr – lā ilāha illa Llāh (No god, but God), Allāh, and huwa huwa (He, He). These correspond to three levels within the human being, the heart (al-qalb), the spirit (al-rūḥ), and the secret (al-sirr). The goal is to provide an overview of the means whereby one can disengage from the blameworthy inclinations of their soul through the progressive levels of dhikr until the secret predominates over the spirit and the spirit predominates over the heart, such that one is able to focus solely upon God.

Functional Analysis of Thematic Approach to the Division of Surahs in Two English Contemporary Translations of the Qur’an

Thematic division of Qur’anic chapters (henceforth, surahs) into paragraphs is a recent trend in translating the Qur’an. This thematic approach refers to the translation of Qur’anic surah based on their underlying themes rather than verse-by-verse translation in a bilingual text. Disregarding source text division, some translators divide each Qur’anic surah into paragraphs with subheadings while translating the surahs into English. This paper aimed to reveal how the division and chosen themes for each paragraph of the surahs often differ among translators who choose this thematic approach to the Qur’an translation. The data is collected from two modern thematic English translations of the Qur’an, namely, The Clear Quran by Khattab (2015) and The Majestic Quran by Hussain (2018). Adopting a descriptive design and qualitative research method, the paper aimed at applying Nord’s model of functionalist text analysis to compare the units of analysis selected from three Qur’anic surahs: Q. 86, Q. 87 and Q. 93. These surahs are particularly chosen because they are divided differently in the two translations. The paper queries the impact of thematic translation and text segmentation on the Qur’an translation process, especially in relation to producing loyalty and functional adequacy in the two translations. Nord’s functional model was used to explore the effect of thematic translation in conveying the functions for the intended readership without betraying their trust in that they are reading God’s word in their own language. The findings emphasise that thematic translation tends to violate rather than maintain the original intended functions (skopos) and loyalty to the source text.

A Semiotic Approach to Translating between Arabic and English

Drawing on Arabic authentic excerpts that feature key semiotic signs in English translation, this paper shows how challenging it is for translators to capture the communicative value of such signs. The discussion shows that signs have two important components: iconic and indexical. In a few cases in which a happy coincidence may exist in the language pair, the translator can relay both components and, optimally, capture the semiotics of the sign. However, in most contexts, he/she needs to search for other translation procedures. These may include formal equivalents that follow source language norms, functional equivalents that embrace target language iconicity, ideational equivalents that only capture the sign’s indexical import, or a combination of two procedures. In any case, the translator should pay utmost attention to the interpretant of the semiotic sign in its relevant context because the same sign may have to be rendered differently.

Research on Automatic Proofreading Algorithm for English Translation Based on Neural Networks

In this proposed study, we explore the development and implementation of an innovative proofreading algorithm aimed at enhancing the accuracy of English translation. This algorithm leverages the capabilities of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) integrated with a fuzzy logic approach, offering a novel perspective in the realm of linguistic accuracy and consistency in translations. The core objective of this research is to address the prevalent challenges in automatic translation, such as context misinterpretation and semantic errors, by employing a fuzzy-based CNN model. This model is meticulously trained and tested using a diverse dataset of English translations, enabling it to learn and adapt to various linguistic nuances. Our results demonstrate a significant improvement in the proofreading accuracy, outperforming existing methods in terms of efficiency and reliability. The research highlights the potential of combining neural networks with fuzzy logic to create more sophisticated and context-aware translation tools. While our findings mark a considerable advancement in automatic translation proofreading, we also acknowledge the scope for further enhancements. Future work could involve refining the algorithm, expanding its applicability to other languages, and integrating it into real-world translation software. This research contributes to the evolving landscape of automated translation, presenting a promising solution for achieving higher translation fidelity.

Research on English Translation Optimization Algorithm Based on Statistical Machine Learning

In the study titled Research on English Translation Optimization Algorithm Based on Statistical Machine Learning: IAAM-NN (Integrating Advanced Attention Mechanisms with Neural Networks), we explore the fusion of advanced attention mechanisms with neural networks to enhance English translation accuracy. This research delves into the intersection of statistical machine learning and language processing, presenting a novel approach termed IAAM-NN. This method capitalizes on the strengths of neural networks in learning complex patterns and the refined attention mechanisms’ ability to accurately map contextual relationships within text. The core objective is to address the challenges faced in traditional translation algorithms – primarily context misinterpretation and semantic inaccuracies. By harnessing the power of advanced attention mechanisms, the IAAM-NN algorithm effectively deciphers nuanced linguistic structures, ensuring more accurate and contextually relevant translation outputs. This study demonstrates the potential of combining neural network models with enhanced attention processes, illustrating significant improvements in translation quality compared to standard machine learning approaches. The implementation of IAAM-NN marks a step forward in the realm of machine translation, offering insights into developing more sophisticated and reliable translation tools in the future.

Translating Traditional Folk Poetry: The Perception of Translators and Translation Students and the Reality in Saudi Society

Despite the massive presence and influence of traditional folk poetry (TFP) within Saudi society, the efforts to translate such works remain very limited. While many authors and researchers have examined the impact of this literary genre and illustrated its prominence, academic investigations into the difficulties of translating TFP works are almost nonexistent. This is also true about studies that focus on the overarching sentiment regarding these efforts among those who are associated with the field of language and translation and among members of the general public. This paper thus aims at examining these perspectives and outlining the challenges translation trainees face when performing tasks in this field. The data for this study was collected through the dissemination of a questionnaire and the analysis of a translation task assigned to university students in an academic program for English language and translation. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data shows that the level of acceptance of TFP translation efforts is strongly connected to the degree of association with the field of languages and translation, with individuals from outside these circles being less supportive of initiatives in this domain. Additionally, the paper identified several obstacles and challenges encountered by translation students working on TFP texts. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations and suggestions that can, hopefully, contribute to the efforts to raise awareness about translating TFP and to the process of improving the current state of translation within this field.

Bridging the ‘Orient’ and the West: Arabia, the British Empire in India, and English Translations of the Qur’an in the Early Twentieth Century

Translation and distribution of the Qur'an as an expression of daʿwa has served as a political tool since the mid-twentieth century. This article investigates three prominent, widely used English translations of the Qur'an – those by Marmaduke Pickthall (1930), ʿAbdullah Yūsuf ʿAlī (1934–1938, revised 1939–1940), and Muhammad Asad (1980) – in the context of crosspollination between Arabia and the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent (the British Raj) from the pre-World War I era through the end of the British Raj in 1947. It explores the intersection of religion, politics, and academics through transregional travels between Britain, Arabia, and India, placing Qur'an translators and translations into historical perspective and investigating the Orientalisation of Europeans during their sojourns in Arabia and India through conversion to Islam and engagement with the ‘authentic’ land and language of the Qur'an, even as Muslims from the Empire in India became Orientalised through sojourns and studies in Britain. This interplay between regions and peoples establishes the context in which the meaning of the Qur'an was translated not simply into English but also into expressions of meaning for British society as a form of daʿwa. The article argues that this model of tripartite connection between Britain, Arabia, and India laid the foundations for later developments in Qur'an translation and distribution, including the Hilālī-Khān translation.

Qur’an Translations in African American (Post-)Muslim Movements

Due to their situatedness in a particular Western English-speaking environment, African American Muslims primarily received, engaged with, and employed the Qur'an through the vehicle of English translations. Contrary to what is often assumed, the Qur'an has played a key role in the formulation of the doctrines of the various African American Muslim movements, including among early representatives, such as the Nation of Islam. What is more, different interpretations and translations of the Qur'an have informed doctrinal differences, institutional formations, and internal disputes among African American Muslims. This article provides an overview of the usage and, arguably, the politics of English Qur'an translations in different African American Muslim movements from the early twentieth century until the present. In addition, it introduces and analyses the works of the first Qur'an translators from amongst the ranks of African American Muslim movements.

A Comparative Study On Two English Versions Of Shen Congwen’s ‘Biancheng’ From The Perspective Of Ecofeminism

The struggle to create a life-affirming society intensifies as globalization expands, which can be seen from the 1970s, women all over the world were formulating ecological feminist response to environmental influence of “modernization” through the intersection between gender, feminism and environmental issues. Ecofeminism is at the intersection of women’s rights, environmental issues and the various forms of oppression, such as those affecting marginalized and colonial people, as well as the Third World nations by the Western industrialized countries. One of the major propositions of ecofeminism is to build a harmonious planet and to abolish sexism and patriarchy, rather than subject to dominance of men and hierarchy. It, therefore, advocates to deconstruct the patriarchal perspective and reconstruct a community based on ecology and feminism, in a way to cease the exploitation of nature and promote the liberation of women. “Biancheng” is a representative work of renowned modern Chinese writer, Mr. Shen Congwen, who adhered to his contemplation on humanity’s existence and tried to communicate the essence of honoring nature and life. He transformed “Biancheng” from a conventional geographical term into a profound exploration of the intrinsic significance of human existence and spirit, with a particular emphasis on a woman’s existence and her connection with nature. Such focus led me to approach “Biancheng” through the lens of ecofeminism. In light of the ecofeminism theory, this paper selects the two prominent English translations of Biancheng by renowned translators Gladys Yang and American sinologist Jeffrey C. Kinkley for a comparative analysis. It is divided into five parts: the first deals with delineating the main ecofeminist theories, the second probes into the previous researches on ecofeminism and translated versions of Biancheng, the third refers to the work analysis, the fourth parts explores how ecofeminism is translated and demonstrated in the two versions through comparative analysis and the last part comes to a conclusion.

Alternative Readings of Daraja: Rendering the Meaning of Verse (2:228) in Selected English Translations of the Qur’an

Alternative Readings of Daraja: Rendering the Meaning of Verse (2:228) in Selected English Translations of the Qur’an

Historical Continuity in the Morphological Marking of Subjectivity? Textual Perspectives on the Origin of English Adverbial "-ly" in Late Old and Early Middle English

In spite of the fact that the Present-Day English “adverbial signature” – the suffix ‑ly – is peculiar to English among the Germanic languages and that its emergence seems to conflict with general tendencies of language change in English – the loss of inflectional endings and the fact that English is otherwise happy to allow zero-derivation – neither the early history of ‑ly in Old and Middle English nor the exact date and reasons for its remarkable spread have been fully understood. Recently, the subjective semantics of adverbs in ‑ly have received considerable attention, in both synchronic and diachronic studies. This claim for a particular subjective (abstract or figurative) meaning of adverbs in ‑ly, however, rests almost exclusively one study, Donner’s lexicographical examination of MED material (1991). This chapter inspects the potential of comprehensive textual studies for the suggested subjective semantics in the early use of ‑ly, focussing on two late Old English translations of the Theodulfi Capitula and the early Middle English poem The Owl and the Nightingale, one of the earliest idiomatic and colloquial English texts.

Mastery of the Self: European Moral and Political Thought in A Mirror-For-Princes by Eochaidh Ó hEódhasa

I have three main aims in this article. The first is to offer a normalised text accompanied by an English translation of Deacair innreamh na hóige , a poem of moral and political advice by Eochaidh Ó hEódhasa which has not previously been translated nor been the subject of critical appraisal. My second aim is to offer a close reading of the poem in order to illuminate the main ideas, arguments and attitudes that it embodies. My third concern, and that which informs the title of the article, is to argue that the values and preoccupations of the poem are characteristic of European mirrors-for-princes as a whole and reveal the extent to which this bardic poet was influenced by European moral and political thinking in general.

A Comparative Study of the Two English Translations of The Back from the Perspective of Reiss’s Translation Criticism Theory

A Comparative Study of the Two English Translations of The Back from the Perspective of Reiss’s Translation Criticism Theory

Decolonial analytics in translation history: Ukrainian literature in the contested space of English translation

Decolonial analytics in translation history: Ukrainian literature in the contested space of English translation

The Influence of Chinese and Western Cultural Differences on English Translation

There is a close relationship between language and culture. As a carrier of culture, language translation is not only the conversion of language meaning, but also the communication and collision between different cultures.Translators need to have an open attitude of cultural acceptance, understand the impact of cultural differences on English translation and adopt appropriate translation methods to improve the quality of English translation. Based on this, this paper discusses the relationship between culture and language and between culture and translation, and then analyzes and discusses the influence of cultural differences between China and the west on English translation.

Brazilian translation of African-American Vernacular English: Giving voice to the African diaspora

Brazilian translation of African-American Vernacular English: Giving voice to the African diaspora

A Paratextual Study on the Communication Model of the English Translations of Cha Jing

A Paratextual Study on the Communication Model of the English Translations of Cha Jing

The Research Status of English Translation of Chinese Calligraphic Art

The Research Status of English Translation of Chinese Calligraphic Art

Intralingual and Interlingual Translation of Chinese Classics—Taking the English Translation of the Tao Te Ching as an Example

Intralingual and Interlingual Translation of Chinese Classics—Taking the English Translation of the Tao Te Ching as an Example

Efektivitas Pengawasan Limbah Perusahaan pada Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Kota Prabumulih

Hari Wahyudi, English translation. This study aims to describe the effectiveness of the company's waste control at the Prabumulih City Environmental Service. This research was conducted for three months using a descriptive qualitative approach. Data was collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis techniques were carried out by presenting data, reducing data, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that from the aspect of Organizational Characteristics, namely the form of supervision carried out by the Environmental Service through employees who worked in the field, it was approved and recommended by the Head of the Department of Environment. For specialized employees or field staff who carry out supervision, there must be a specialization to support better work abilities, as well as DLH employees in carrying out their duties, namely supervising companies that are directly related, more flexible and able to adapt, if this is indeed the case. not something urgent. For the Environmental Characteristic aspect, it is important for employees to adapt to the work environment, in this case, the Prabumulih City DLH employees must be able to adjust the conditions in the DLH office and also adapt to the conditions in the field in carrying out supervision in the hope that any decisions to be taken are right there. Aspects of Employee Characteristics, namely DLH employees in having good quality because they are in accordance with the educational qualifications and skills possessed, then also in carrying out employee duties ensuring that every company in Prabumulih City can progress but still ensuring the environment in the form of rivers, land and others does not damaged by pollution. As for the aspects of Management Policy and Practice, namely internal vertical and horizontal communication within the DLH Department, it is quite good, then communication with other institutions is also quite good. Then at the DLH Office, there are rarely awards given to employees, so it can be said that the reward system has not been able to stimulate employees to seek effective performance creation and performance and performance development.