Ambiguity, Ideology, and Doctrine Propagation in Qur'an Translation

Abstract

The inability of translators to convey all aspects of the source text is often cited as an inherent flaw of the translation process. For example, with regard to Qur'an translation, the inability of the translator to transfer the linguistic ambiguity inherent in some specific verses, or to find equivalent target-language words for Qur'anic terms, is often seen as a drawback of translation. This is routinely referred to as ‘translation loss’ and is framed in a negative light, on the basis that facets of the source text are lost in translation. However, this article will argue that this limitation of translation can actually provide an advantage for those propagating a particular doctrine. In this sense, ambiguous terms can be exploited to impose on the reader of the target text a singular interpretation derived from a specific doctrine. To demonstrate this notion a number of examples from various English-language Qur'an translations will be presented, such as a variety of translations of khātama'l-nabiyyīn (Q. 33:40) and istawā (Q. 2:29 and Q. 20:5). The discussion will then explore translations of two Qur'anic phrases which have significance to contemporary discourses on Islam, lā taghlū fī dīnikum in Q. 4:171, and wa'ḍribūhunna in Q. 4:34.