Revisiting the (Un-)translatability of the Quranic Discourse in Light of the Hermeneutic Approach to Translation

Abstract

The present thesis addresses a research gap in the field of Quran translation, probing into the relevance of the hermeneutic approach, as inspired by the German tradition of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics, to the translation theory and practice of the Quran. The study stems from a notable observation that the hermeneutic theories of understanding have proved viable and thereby gained considerable ground in the field of Quranic interpretation, while little to no serious attention has been paid to exploring their potential contribution to the study and practice of Quran translation. The primary purpose of the study is to address the macro issues on the (un-)translatability of the Quranic discourse in the light of the framework of Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics, advancing more particularly a coherent hermeneutic approach to translation that considers the unique genre and specificities of the Quran. In other words, the study examines the relevance of Gadamer’s translational hermeneutic approach in theory and practice, offering a consistent theorizing and methodological grounding for the benefit of Quran translation. The approach is deemed significant in meeting the need for new neutral interpretive translations of the Quran while ensuring the preservation of its sacredness and textual integrity against ideological biases and manipulations.          

Considering that most scholarship on Quran translation has focused on the micro issues of Quranic (un-)translatability, mainly intrigued by areas on linguistic, cultural and theological considerations, as well as matters on the transfer possibilities and the rhetoric of loss, this thesis attempts at changing and challenging the dominant objectivist thinking and inconsistencies surrounding the current practices on Quran translation. At the same time, it proposes a consistent, relational, and neutral treatment of the Quran that considers multiple perspectives and voices in translation. Therefore, the thesis addresses the hermeneutic positioning of the translator, problems of ideology and objectivity, and the translational issues on Quranic understanding and interpretation. The research questions of the thesis look into (a) the theoretical and methodological potentials that the hermeneutic approach has with regard to the translation theory and practice of the Quran and delve into (b) the reason(s) why the hermeneutic approach stands out among the existing approaches and paradigms that are heavily employed in the domain of Quran translation. To answer these questions, the study adopts a conceptual analysis to problematize the prevalent objectivist translation thinking of the Quran, questioning contradictions and ambivalence underlying such thinking and, by the same token, laying the ground for the relevance of the hermeneutic approach.          

 Part of the task is to further substantiate the assumptions of the thesis in favor of the hermeneutic approach, primarily by adopting a synthetic analysis and a hermeneutic praxis. Whereas the former serves the aim of composing a hermeneutically-oriented translational methodology—what I call a hermeneutic translation of dialogue (HTD)—to guide the translation practice of the Quran, the latter enables the possibility to put the theoretical and methodological merits of HTD to practical ends. Composing HTD and testing it involves drawing on Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics as well as Mohamed Abed al-Jabri’s Quranic hermeneutics. To meet the logic of the translational methodology (HTD), al-Jabri’s stance is deemed crucial insofar as it offers a coherent (re-)definition of the unique genre of the Quran vis-à-vis its intertwined relation with the exegetical tradition and its embedded forms of authority. As for proving the viability of HTD and explaining its analytical, explanatory and advisory mechanisms, the thesis conducts a hermeneutic analysis/praxis of two case studies drawn from a wide range of Muslim English translations of the Quran, focusing on the paratextual material and the translation of gender-related issues.

 The study’s findings confirm that the hermeneutic approach to translation is viable for better addressing and remedying the challenges and risks involved in the (un-)translatability of the Quranic discourse. It not only helps advance a fruitful hermeneutic reasoning and theorizing of Quran translation, but it also offers a valuable methodological grounding through which the translator is adequately informed and equipped with how s/he should deal with the translation practice of the Quran beyond the pitfalls of ideology. Overall, this thesis contributes to showcasing the added value and merits of the hermeneutic approach for the field of Quran translation—a highly needed voice and framework in such a sensitive field.