Corpus-based Analysis of Three Synonyms in Quran Translation
الملخص
This study aims to demonstrate how a corpus-based approach offers an effective method for analyzing and enhancing existing English translations of the Qur'an. It addresses the specific challenges translators face when dealing with near synonyms. The research argues that the concept of semantic prosody (Sinclair, 2004) provides a valuable framework for resolving these difficulties. The central hypothesis is that each near-synonymous word in the Qur’an carries distinct connotations based on its lexical context.
By using a computerized concordancer, which allows for extensive searches of large text corpora, the study explores how words acquire meaning from the contexts in which they appear. This aligns with Firth’s (1968) well-known notion that “you shall know a word by the company it keeps.” Modern dictionaries increasingly rely on corpora to capture such contextual meanings.
This comparative descriptive analysis focuses on the Qur'anic Arabic term ḥijāb and its near synonyms sit'r and ghiṭā, examining how these are translated into English in the works of Pickthall and Sahih International, as available on a public website. The analysis uses componential analysis to investigate the semantic distinctions among these terms.
The findings reveal that the translators often do not differentiate clearly between these synonyms, commonly using terms like “cover,” “partition,” or “veil” interchangeably. The study proposes using “veil” specifically for ḥijāb, as it conveys the idea that what is veiled holds value. For sit'r, Pickthall’s translation “shelter” is recommended because it effectively communicates the meaning of complete coverage. As for ghiṭā, the term “membrane” is suggested based on its semantic prosody, particularly because it implies a covering of the eyes.
كيفية الاقتباس
