Abstract
This chapter considers three key Islamic evaluative concepts often (mis)translated into English as friendship, justice, and retaliation. Relying on linguistic techniques—co-text and componential analysis—and the Quran exegesis, three concepts are discussed in various translations in search for the optimal translation into English. Al-Tarawneh argues that translating the Quran by espousing only a formal approach would compromise its credibility. Moreover, this chapter highlights two essential points in Quran translation. First, not everything is translatable: concepts unique to the source culture need to be preserved through transliteration and explained in annotations. Secondly, the translator accepting a commission for a translation of the Quran has to be well informed about context-dependent verses.
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Notes
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It is a fixed amount of time starting when a man divorces his wife. It is to let the couple think about the situation before making the final decision about consummating divorce or not. When the period ends without reaching reconciliation, then the divorce is considered confirmed.
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Al-Tarawneh, A. (2016). Re-examining Islamic Evaluative Concepts in English Translations of the Quran: Friendship, Justice and Retaliation. In: Blumczynski, P., Gillespie, J. (eds) Translating Values. Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-54971-6_6
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