WRONG LEXICAL CHOICE IN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE HOLY QUR’AN IN RELATION TO FRAME SEMANTICS

Abstract

This study is an attempt to investigate the problems resulting from the lexical choice in the translation of the Holy Qur’an and emphasizes the importance of the theory of “Frame Semantics” in the translation process. It has been conducted with the aim of measuring the difference in conception between the Arabic and English language. In order to find out this difference six words have been chosen from the Qur’an besides how the different English frames can affect the translation of the holy Qur’an .In addition the strategies used by the translators to avoid such effect, besides, the most effective factor in the translation of the Qur’an: the linguistic background or the cultural knowledge. Four hypotheses were formed. They dealt with the difference in frame knowledge (conception) between Arabic and English; the different English frames lead to problems in the translation of the Holy Qur’an, the strategies used by the translators to solve these problems and the factors contribute more to translators’ ability to translate the Qur’an: linguistic background/cultural knowledge. Three questionnaires were used to collect the data required; two for Arab participants while the other was for British participants .The results of the analysis confirmed that there were some differences in conception in Arabic and English language. The differences are oppositeness, generality and complementarity. It disconfirmed that the different English frames lead to problems in the translation process of the holy Qur’an. The investigation revealed that some strategies were used by the translators to avoid such problems. In addition to that, the analysis of the data showed that the linguistic background contributed more to the translators’ ability than the cultural knowledge. The five translations were rank ordered. The first rank (completely appropriate) was assigned to Yusuf Ali’s translation, second position was occupied by Pickthall’s translation. Qaribullah and Sale were assigned the third position while Shakir’s translation was at the least of the five translations. The study came up with some recommendations. The most important recommendations were that the translator should focus on the linguistic background more than on the cultural knowledge. They should be aware of the difference in conception between the Arabic and English languages. The translator should use ‘Frame Semantics’ theory for better translation. In addition to that the translation of Yusuf Ali and Pickthall were good and should be propagated all over the world.