The Translation of Mutashaabih, Ambiguous and Muhkam Quranic Verses: A Contrastive Study
[Thesis]
Bariq Al-Husain
Western Sydney University (Australia)
2018
783
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=9781083560209
Ph.D.
Western Sydney University (Australia)
2018
This research sets out to investigate translations of the mutashaabih (semantically indefinite), muhkam (semantically definite) and ambiguous Quranic verses, with special attention to the first category, as it is the most sensitive and controversial part of the Quran. More specifically, this thesis investigates how the uniqueness and sensitivity of mutashaabih verses are reflected in translation. The study scrutinises the distinctive features of the three verse categories to find out how these distinctive features are manifested in translational aspects such as translation problems, strategies and quality assessment. The study uses a contrastive method of analysis: It analyses and compares 25 English translations of 30 mutashaabih, 30 muhkam and 30 ambiguous verses. These three separate analyses constitute three sub-studies. The fourth and last part of the study compares and analyses these three sub-studies altogether to determine the translation problems encountered and the strategies used in each category. In addition, this fourth part also evaluates translations of each category to determine the most appropriate translation strategy for each verse category. The study shows that the verse categories under study vary significantly in their semantic features. It proves that muhkam is semantically determinate and independent, while mutashaabih is semantically indeterminate, muhkam-dependent, uncertain and encompasses a multiplicity of meanings. Between these two opposites, ambiguity stands as relatively indeterminate, muhkam-dependent, relatively uncertain and denoting a limited multiplicity of meaning. As a result, muhkam is found to fall under the unmarked category, while mutashaabih is the most marked and ambiguity is positioned between the two. In terms of theory and practice, this markedness continuum manifests itself in translation problems, strategies and quality assessment. Hence, it is concluded that muhkam is the least problematic and demanding, with the highest success rates among the translations studied; mutashaabih is the most problematic and demanding, with the lowest rates of successful translation outcomes; and ambiguous Quranic verses occupy a middle position between mutashaabih and muhkam.